Crystal Palace are in talks to sign FC Lorient’s highly-rated winger Dango Ouattara in January
According to 90min, Premier League side Crystal Palace are in talks to sign FC Lorient star Dango Ouattara in the ongoing January transfer window.
The 20-year-old is one of the best young prospects in the French top flight and has taken his game up a notch this season. He came through the ranks at Majestic FC before moving to Lorient in 2020. A short spell in the reserves beckoned before Ouattara received his first team call-up.
The Burkina Faso international is today an important member of the Ligue 1 side’s roster and has amassed 42 appearances for them across all competitions. While a return of six goals and seven assists appears modest, five each have come across 16 appearances this season. It more or less showcases the development of the 20-year-old.
Ouattara’s contract at Lorient expires in the summer of 2024, meaning the Ligue 1 side finds themselves in a poor position when it comes to negotiations. There appears to be an acceptance at the club that they could struggle to hold onto their top talents.
While Palace are already in talks with Lorient, they are by no means the only side in the fray. Fellow Premier League sides Bournemouth, Everton, Southampton and Leicester City are all interested and could make the Eagles’ task harder.
French legend Patrick Vieira is putting together a promising squad at Selhurst Park. However, he lacks a reliable goal scorer and might also have to deal with star winger Wilfried Zaha’s potential departure in the summer. It thus makes sense that he is on the lookout for a new winger this month.
Despite largely playing out on the right flank, Ouattara is capable of playing anywhere along the frontline. This versatility should offer Palace enough options to deploy him as per the circumstances. A decent taker of set-pieces, Ouattara will definitely spice up the Palace frontline.
A move to Palace could afford the Burkina Faso man to develop his game further without having to compromise on playing time. More so, Vieira’s intimate knowledge of the French top flight could make it easier for the player to settle in at Selhurst Park.
