Crystal Palace will prioritise signing 20-year-old Ivory Coast international Oumar Diakite from Ligue 1 club Stade Reims if Jean-Philippe Mateta departs from Selhurst Park next year.
According to a report by The Sun, Oumar Diakite is the subject of interest from Crystal Palace. The Eagles are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Jean-Philippe Mateta amid the French striker’s high wage demands. So, the 20-year-old Stade Reims attacking sensation has emerged as the priority target for the South London club.
Who is Oumar Diakite?
Oumar Diakite has established himself as one of the best young prospects in Ligue 1 since joining Stade Reims from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2023. A native of Bingerville, the Ivorian spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at ASEC Mimosas.
The youngster spent only 18 months at Red Bull Salzburg and did not turn out once for the Austrian club’s first team. However, the 20-year-old has come leaps and bounds during his spell with Stade Reims thus far, chipping in with seven goals and two assists in 37 appearances for the Ligue 1 club.
While Diakite’s tally is not inspiring, he has shown promising signs in the first few weeks of the 2024/25 season. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast international has captured the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe with his exploits for Stade Reims, with Crystal Palace among his prospective suitors.
London calling?
Crystal Palace’s interest in Oumar Diakite is understandable. The Eagles are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Jean-Philippe Mateta. While the French striker has been a revelation under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner, he has demanded a bumper new contract with £90,000-a-week wages to commit his long-term future to the South London club.
So, Crystal Palace might dip into the market for a striker next year, as they are not ready to meet Mateta’s £90,000-a-week wage demands. So, the Eagles are scouring the market for a striker as they anticipate Mateta’s departure for next year. Diakite has thus emerged as a viable target for Crystal Palace.
Recent reports have linked Mateta with several high-profile clubs, including Liverpool. So, it will not be surprising to see Crystal Palace pursuing a deal for Diakite, even though they signed Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
