The Villans and Eagles are said to be vying for Jerome Onguene’s signature, with Arsenal and Newcastle United also said to have watched the 18-year-old.
Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew in action with Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are competing to sign teenage French defender Jerome Onguene, the Daily Mail reports.
Onguene, who plays in France for Sochaux, is said to have been watched by Arsenal and Newcastle United last season.
The 18-year-old made his senior debut in 2014-15 and has appeared 44 times in total for the Ligue 2 side, earning rave reviews.
And according to the Mail, Onguene was the subject of a £1.75 million bid from Turkish side Trabzonspor over the weekend.
Could Onguene be heading to Trabzon instead?
The report claims Sochaux would like to keep the Cameroon-born centre-back, but stand to benefit financially from his sale.
And the interested parties could get a closer look at the imposing youngster during the upcoming UEFA Under-19 Championship, with France due to face England.
Villa have added Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick to their already bustling defensive ranks, but could make space for Onguene by offloading the likes of Joleon Lescott, Nathan Baker, Jores Okore or Ciaran Clark, the latter of which has been linked with a move to West Brom (the Sun).
Clark has been linked with a move to West Brom
Palace on the other hand, have released centre-back trio Adrian Mariappa, Brede Hangeland and Paddy McCarthy this summer, leaving behind Scott Dann and Damien Delaney.
Mariappa is one of three centre-halves heading out of Selhurst Park
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