Crystal Palace have expressed the desire to sign AS Roma starlet Felix Afena-Gyan for a fee of €10-12 million.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Crystal Palace are exploring the possibility of signing Felix Afena-Gyan this summer. The Premier League outfit are ready to splash €10-12 million for the services of the AS Roma attacker, who has impressed many with his performances in the youth leagues.
A product of the EurAfrica youth academy in his native Ghana, Afena-Gyan moved to Europe in early 2021, joining AS Roma as a young prospect. He is yet to disappoint since, having established himself as one of the top performers in the club’s youth academy before eventually earning a first-team promotion last season.
The explosive forward featured in 17 league matches for Roma in 2021/22. Although he has a long way to go before he can establish himself as a regular starter for the Giallorossi, the youngster has certainly caught an eye or two with his electric nature in the final third, coupled with his aggression.
Such qualities have been noticed by Crystal Palace as well. The Premier League outfit are currently in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer amid uncertainties over the future of Wilfried Zaha. The Eagles have already roped in Malcolm Ebiowei from Derby County, but it appears coach Patrick Vieira is keen on shoring up his options in the attacking third of the pitch.
The addition of Afena-Gyan, to that end, could be an interesting move by the club. The 19-year-old might not offer much experience to the table but he has shown immense potential and has what it takes to make a mark in the Premier League, largely thanks to his dynamism and pace in the final third.
It could tune in well with Vieira’s tactical setup that has revolutionised Palace and helped young players like him thrive at Selhurst Park. However, Afena-Gyan’s pursuit could be directly linked to the fate of Zaha, who has been courted by AS Roma this summer.
Roma head coach Jose Mourinho is well aware of Zaha’s quality and experience, having watched him closely during his time in the Premier League. As such, he is looking to sign the Ivorian ahead of the new season, with Palace, too, likely to sanction a sale, knowing the attacker’s contract expires in 2023.
