Crystal Palace are reportedly holding concrete talks to secure the signing of Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral, who is currently on loan at AS Roma.
According to a report from the print edition of La Nazione, as relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace are in negotiations with Spanish giants Real Madrid over the signing of striker Borja Mayoral in the January transfer window.
Mayoral, a product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, has made only 33 senior appearances for the club, in which he has seven goals. After temporary stints at VfL Wolfsburg and Levante, the 24-year-old signed for AS Roma on a two-year loan deal in the summer of 2020. The Spaniard enjoyed a productive season last time out, scoring 17 goals for the Giallorossi, but has found himself out of favour this term.
Indeed, Jose Mourinho, who had blocked the centre-forward from cutting short his loan spell in the summer, has hardly called upon him this campaign, handing Mayoral just one start in Serie A so far. With the situation not conducive for his development, Real Madrid are ready to end his loan stint at Stadio Olimpico midway through the campaign.
Fiorentina had set their sights on the Spanish forward but are set to sign Jonathan Ikone from LOSC Lille, clearing the pathway for Crystal Palace to make a swoop for the Real Madrid loanee. The Eagles were keen on signing the striker during the summer transfer window, but as iterated earlier, a move was blocked by Mourinho.
However, they have continued to hold an interest in the 24-year-old, as Patrick Vieira looks to add more ammunition to his attacking unit. Christian Benteke has managed just four goals in 17 matches so far this term, while new signing Odsonne Edouard is yet to completely adapt to his new surroundings, having found the back of the net just thrice in 14 league outings.
With neither Jordan Ayew nor Wilfried Zaha being exactly prolific in front of goal, Crystal Palace need to add another source of goals to their frontline, who can help them build on the promise they have shown under the guidance of Vieira this season. A move for Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal has been touted for a while now. But it seems like the Londoners have decided to put their faith in Mayoral instead.
The report adds that Real Madrid are in ‘concrete talks’ with Palace over a January move for the 24-year-old, with the deal likely to set the Premier League outfit back by a sum of €15 million. It now remains to be seen if the Eagles can close the deal for Mayoral, having failed to sign him back in the summer.
