If Crystal Palace sell Wilfried Zaha this summer, they will need to find an able bodied replacement.
Roy Hodgson has a lot of work to do at Crystal Palace this summer, if he is to build upon his side’s impressive 11th placed finish in the Premier League table last season.
One major concern for Hodgson will be the continual rumours linking Wilfried Zaha with an exit from Selhurst Park, and he would be wise to already be lining up potential replacements, despite his obvious desire to keep hold of the Ivorian.
With this in mind, the Eagles should consider making a move for Genoa’s left-sided midfielder Diego Laxalt.
The 25-year-old has really impressed for Uruguay during the World Cup in Russia this summer, showcasing his undoubted talent up and down the left hand flank for Óscar Tabárez’s side.
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He can play in the wide left midfield role, or further advanced as an orthodox left winger, and his tenacious playing style seems to be ideally suited to the robust nature of the Premier League.
Laxalt is extremely quick off the mark, and his high-octane, hustle and bustle nature would see him slot perfectly into Crystal Palace’s high-tempo setup.
What makes the Uruguayan particularly special is his willingness to defend, despite being an attack-minded player, and that will surely appeal to Hodgson, what with his penchant for his teams to possess rigidity and structure.
Laxalt is valued at £11.5 million, according to Transfer Markt, and in today’s day and age, that would represent excellent value for Palace.
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