Reports in Turkey claim Crystal Palace have struck a deal with Galatasaray to sign defender Lionel Carole this summer.
Lionel Carole in action against Manchester United
According to the Turkish sports media outlet Aksam, Sam Allardyce’s relegation-threatened side have agreed a £3 million fee for the French left-back.
The news will come as a blow to the Turkish giants, where the 25-year-old has been a first team regular making 27 appearances this season.
But what do we know about Carole, here’s five facts about the Frenchman.
1) Career threatened by serious eye injury
Carole begin his football career playing for hometown club UJA Alfortville. In 2000, aged just eight, while playing in the club’s youth academy, he suffered what has been described as a debilitating injury to his right eye after a ball struck him in the face. The injury reportedly threatened to cut short a future career in the game but he was prescribed aerodynamic protective goggles to wear while playing, similar to former Dutch legend Edgar Davids, and later went on to realise his dream of becoming a professional.
2) Surprise professional graduation
That wasn’t a straightforward process, though. Carole joined Nantes in 2006 and was somewhat surprisingly promoted to the senior team by manager Baptiste Gentili for the 2010–11 season, despite not having a professional contract. He made his professional debut on 17 August 2010 in a league match against Évian appearing as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat.
Carole in action for Benfica
3) Replaced Portuguese legend
The left-back was highly regarded on the continent and was signed by Portuguese giants Benfica in 2011 as a replacement for legend and Real Madrid defender Fábio Coentrão. Nantes were made to pay for Carole not being signed up as a professional when he left the club to sign a five-and-a-half-year deal with Benfica. Nantes were awarded £700,000 compensation.
4) Tough start spelled short stay at Benfica
A disastrous start to his career in Portugal – in which he was hauled off at half-time on his debut and scored an own goal in his second game – meant his stay at Benfica was a short one. He was loaned to Sedan, then demoted to Benfica’s reserves for a season before going back to France with Troyes where he played 75 games in two years. His performances attracted Gala and he signed a four year deal with the Turkish club in a £1m move in 2015.
Palace bound? Carole
5) Playmaking left-back
The former France Under 21 international likes to get forward – which probably attracted Allardyce in the first place – and has a very healthy assist record in his career so far, setting up more than 20 goals for his teammates in 190 games from left-back. An athletic player, Carole is at a good age and looks a wise investment if, as reported, he is costing the South Londoners just over £3m.
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