Francis Jno-Baptiste might never play a Premier League game for Crystal Palace, with a move to Sweden reportedly on the cards.
Ostersunds manager Ian Burchnall confirmed on Thursday that he wanted to sign the talented Crystal Palace striker Francis Jno-Baptiste.
“He is one of many names we are currently working on,” the Leicester-born coach told Futbol Direkt.
And it seems that Ostersunds have reached a breakthrough, just 24 hours later.
According to Sky Sports, Jno-Baptiste has now agreed a deal to sign for the Swedish side and looks all but certain to leave Selhurst Park in the January transfer window.
Palace are due to receive a compensation fee for the 19-year-old, who scored 15 goals to fire Palace’s U18s to the Professional Development League South last season.
Interestingly, a former Crystal Palace scout is understood to be central to the deal. David Webb has been the technical director of Ostersunds since October and has introduced a policy of targeting young English talents, meaning Baptiste certainly fits the bill.
It remains to be seen how Crystal Palace feel about Baptiste’s departure, although it is unlikely to go down too well considering the teenager is well regarded at Selhurst Park, having made the step up to U23 level in recent months.
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