Crystal Palace are reportedly in talks to sign 20-year-old French midfielder Naouirou Ahamada from Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Premier League side Crystal Palace are interested in securing the services of VfB Stuttgart star Naouirou Ahamada. And the Eagles are discussing a move for the Frenchman with the Bundesliga club.
The 20-year-old spent his formative years at several clubs including Juventus before moving to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2020. He joined Stuttgart initially on loan before making the move permanent a year later. Ahamada has since made 27 appearances for Die Schwaben across all competitions, finding the back of the net twice.
A central midfielder who excels in defensive actions, Ahamada has all the makings of a dominant player in the middle of the park. Just 20, he has shown much potential and can develop into a key player for club and country in the years to come.
Patrick Vieira is keen to bolster his midfield roster and has earmarked Ahamada for the role of a holding player. The youngster should fit in well with the Eagles’ young roster as the Frenchman puts together an exciting squad.
Stuttgart provided the young Frenchman with his first taste of senior-level football but are currently fighting to retain their Bundesliga status. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are a side showing much promise, and the only way is up. Ahamada could speed up his development by opting for a new challenge at Selhurst Park.
There are currently three defensive midfielders on Crystal Palace’s radar — the trio of Cheick Doucoure, Jairo Riedewald and Luka Milivojevic. Doucoure has done well, but Riedewals has failed to impose himself when afforded chances. Meanwhile, Milivojevic is not getting any younger. So Palace need a competitor for Doucoure’s spot.
Ahamada will need to get used to the physical rigours of the English game should he aim to follow in Vieira’s footsteps as a dominant top-class midfielder. Having achieved much in the Premier League himself, there are few better than the Crystal Palace boss to guide the 20-year-old to stardom.
Crystal Palace are also keeping tabs on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Selhurst Park. The Englishman has struggled for regular minutes at Stamford Palace and could be tempted into a second inning with the Eagles. Gallagher is Premier League proven and is more likely to make an immediate impact compared to Ahamada.
