Premier League outfit Crystal Palace have entered talks to sign Roma’s Serie A forward Borja Mayoral in a £13 million, as reported by La Nazione, via Fiorentina IT.
The former Real Madrid youngster has found out the hard way just how fickle top-level football can be at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma’s 17-goal top scorer last season, Mayoral has hardly kicked a ball in anger since Jose Mourinho replaced Paulo Fonseca in the Italian capital.
He’s started just one of a potential 19 Serie A games under the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan manager.
A wonderful finish in Roma’s 3-2 UEFA Conference League victory over CSKA Sofia in December – one Mourinho himself described as ‘beautiful’ – has proven to be little more than a false dawn.
Mayoral returned to the bench for The Giallorossi’s last two outings.
Is Borja Mayoral heading to Crystal Palace?
The former Spain U21 international – who’s scored 16 goals in 31 caps at youth level – is on loan at Roma from Real Madrid.
But with the Italian giants looking increasingly unlikely to turn his short-term deal into a permanent transfer, La Nazione reports that Real Madrid could cut short Mayoral’s spell in the shadow of the seven mountains.
Talks are underway regarding a deal that will see Mayoral join Crystal Palace instead. The Eagles are expected to stump up a fee in the region of £13 million.
“In January, we will see,” Roma CEO Tiago Pinto told Sky when asked about Mayoral’s future earlier this month. “The doors are always open.”
Despite embracing and adapting to a more front-foot, free-flowing style of football under former Nice and New York City boss Vieira, Crystal Palace’s progress has often been undermined by a wasteful streak in front of goal.
The Londoners have won just four of 17 Premier League games, despite a series of impressive performances.
Mayoral’s arrival, should it come to fruition, will enhance the attacking options at Vieira’s disposal while pushing forgotten man Jean-Philippe Mateta even further down the pecking order.
The Frenchman is expected to depart in January, though Mateta’s wages threaten to scupper a potential move to Ligue 1 strugglers St Etienne.
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