Junior Sambia was left out of the Montpellier squad on Wednesday amid interest from Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in the out-of-contract defender, as reported by Jeunes Footeaux.
Gary Cahill out, Marc Guehi in. Andros Townsend out, Michael Olise in. Patrick van Aanholt out, Tyrick Mitchell in.
Over the last 12 months or so, Crystal Palace have made a concerted effort to drive down the average age out of a squad with more dusty old antiques than Fiona Bruce’s living room.
Finding a new right-back – a younger, more athletic footballer to succeed Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward – is the next challenge facing Patrick Vieira, Dougie Freedman and Steve Parish.
And that’s where Sambia comes in.
The 25-year-old Frenchman will leave Montpellier on a free transfer in July. And, according to Le10 Sport, Crystal Palace are battling Marseille to sign the one-time Everton and Birmingham City target on a bargain deal.
“It’s never nice to hear that a player on your team is calling it a day,” sights Montpellier team-mate Elye Wahi.
“We can’t prevent people from doing certain things. He knows that he won’t stay in Montpellier and I hope he finds a new club.”
Will Junior Sambia be Crystal Palace’s next right-back?
Sambia’s time at the Stade de la Mosson, however, is not exactly ending in a way either club or player would want.
The former Lyon youngster was nowhere to be seen as Montpellier lost 2-0 to high-flying Lens in midweek, dropped from the squad before being subjected to a very public rebuke by Pallaide coach Olivier Dall’Oglio.
“(Leaving out Sambia) is a choice on my part. It’s my job. I pick players who are ready to play hard,” Dall’Oglio explains, making no attempt to hide his frustration with the defender’s attitude.
“It’s up to the player to show that he can come back. That’s what I’m waiting for.”
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Crystal Palace are also keen on another Ligue 1 right-back; Metz’s Fabien Centonze (The Telegraph). The Eagles are reportedly in talks to sign Lens’ £16 million midfield general Cheick Doucoure too.
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