According to Turkish Football, Trabzonspor have submitted a €2m (£1.7m) bid for Cheikhou Kouyate, with Crystal Palace happy to sell their No.8.
What’s the story?
Well, the Turkish news outlet believe that the south Londoners will sell Kouyate if they receive a fee in the region of €3m – €4m (£2.5m – £3.4m).
The 31-year-old only has one year remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, and Turkish Football believe he is yet to be offered fresh terms.
Kouyate’s representatives are in Istanbul holding talks with the Süper Lig outfit, and negotiations will move to London if a breakthrough is made.
Galatasaray and Besiktas are also interested, but have only made enquiries so far.
Crystal Palace cannot sell Cheikhou Kouyate
In our view, the south Londoners would be mad to sell Kouyate.
The 69-cap Senegal international offers Patrick Vieira an option at centre-back and also in midfield.
His versatility is invaluable.
Also, with 231 Premier League appearances under his belt, Kouyate’s experience will be vital with so many new, young players in Crystal Palace’s squad.
After losing the nuance of Scott Dann, Andros Townsend and Gary Cahill this summer, it would be risky to offload another leader in Kouyate as well.
For the measly sum of a few million, it’s not worth losing the former West Ham colossus.
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