Naouirou Ahamada will not be in Stuttgart’s squad for Tuesday’s DFB Pokal clash with the Bundesliga midfielder close to sealing a £10.5 million move to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, according to TZ.
Palace fans wanted an injection of youth and energy in the centre of the park. And, albeit very belatedly, it seems Steve Parish, Dougie Freedman and co are set to grant their wishes with a pair of deadline day swoops.
Insert your own London bus-based pun here…
According to The Guardian, Crystal Palace are close to signing Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan from London rivals Arsenal. The Belgium international is frustrated with his lack of regular Premier League minutes, and the arrival of Jorginho from Chelsea should open the door for Lokonga to make the short trip from the Emirates Stadium to Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace close to signing Naouirou Ahamada from VfB Stuttgart
Lokonga, 23, should be joined by 20-year-old Ahamada in the South of the city. The one-time Juventus starlet will set Palace back £10.5 million
“(Ahamada) is in London at the moment. Nothing has been signed yet,” Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia said on Monday.
“We have to accept things that are not optimal due to the sporting situation. It wasn’t the original plan to hand him over. But the club stands above everything. And if we can only invest a fraction of this transfer fee, then we have to do it.
“It’s important to stand together very closely even in such phases. But it’s also clear; (Selling Ahamada) one day before the end of the transfer window, it’s not an easy thing.”
Stuttgart will face Paderborn in the German cup on Tuesday, the game kicking off at 5pm. Ahamada, TZ say, will not be in the squad. A trio of Ahamada, Lokonga and Cheick Doucoure, meanwhile, looks much more energetic and impressive on paper than a midfield containing Jeffrey Schlupp and 35-year-old James McArthur.
St Mirren teenager Dylan Reid is also expected to arrive at Crystal Palace on deadline day (BBC).
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