Crystal Palace could have a trick up their sleeve to beat Newcastle United, West Brom and Brighton to Everton striker Oumar Niasse this month.
But he may not be the only new striker at Selhurst Park this month. Because The Evening Standard reported that Palace are hoping to follow this up with the signing of fellow Senegalese centre-forward Oumar Niasse, who will be allowed to leave Everton for £13 million.
A deal for Niasse is easier said than done, however, with TEAMtalk reporting that West Bromwich Albion, Brighton and Newcastle United are also in the race for a player who has five goals in five league starts this season.
But Palace could yet have a trick up their sleeve. Because TEAMtalk adds that the Eagles will hold talks about possibly letting Patrick Van Aanholt go the other way to sweeten the deal, and encourage Everton to sell Niasse to them rather than one of the clubs likely to fight them for Premier League survival.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce knows Van Aanholt well. He worked with the Dutchman during Sunderland’s remarkable escape from relegation in 2015/16 and signed him for Crystal Palace just one year ago for £14 million, as reported by the BBC.
And ESPN stated that Allardyce would be keen on a reunion at Goodison Park. The currently crocked Leighton Baines is the only senior left-back on Everton’s books, so the buccaneering Van Aanholt would fill a clear void in the Toffees’ squad.
With Jeffrey Schlupp and Pape Souare ensuring that Palace would not be short of left-backs even if Van Aanholt goes, swapping him for Niasse looks an inspired decision.
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