Crystal Palace identify Sidiki Cherif alternative as £15.6m transfer lined up for Serie A star
Crystal Palace could move to sign Genoa striker Jeff Ekhator if they are snubbed by Angers star Sidiki Cherif amid interest in his services from Wrexham.
Palace‘s January window has not gone to plan so far, with Marc Guehi leaving for Man City, Oliver Glasner announcing his upcoming departure, and Jean-Philippe Mateta linked with a possible exit.
A need to sign a new striker has seen Palace register an interest in Angers forward Cherif, who has scored four goals in 18 Ligue 1 games this season.
They are not the only club in English football who want to sign him, however, with Wrexham lining up a shock £19million move for Cherif as they target promotion to the Premier League.
He could be tempted to the Racecourse Ground by a promise of more game time, and the Eagles are now targeting Ekhator as a possible alternative to his signature.
Jeff Ekhator is being eyed by Palace if they fail in Sidiki move
19-year-old Ekhator has scored three goals in 19 appearances for Serie A side Genoa this season, after scoring once in 25 games last term.
He is not a regular starter in the Italian top flight yet, but his potential to be a top striker has reportedly seen Palace keep tabs on his availability.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has reported that Ekhator is an option for Palace if they fail to secure Cherif this month, with Genoa prepared to sanction a sale for around €18m (£15.6m).
They have had direct approaches this winter for the Italy under-21 striker, with clubs from Portugal also known to be interested in his services.
Palace are also tracking Patrick Agyemang as striker search heats up
Football Insider recently revealed that Man United are targeting a move for Mateta, so it is no wonder that the Eagles are in the market for a striker addition or two in the January window.
It would come as a surprise blow if they were beaten to Cherif’s signature by Championship outfit Wrexham, but they are clearly planning for all eventualities, with Ekhator also on their radar.
As well as the 19-year-old, sources have told Football Insider that Palace have approached Derby over a deal for Agyemang, alongside Leeds, with the second-tier side valuing him at around £20m.
The USA striker has registered seven goals and three assists in 25 appearances for the Rams since a summer move from Charlotte FC, and the Eagles could well accelerate a move for his services alongside Ekhator in the final stages of the transfer window.