Crystal Palace target Houssem Aouar could take the club to the ‘next level’ this season, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.
The Eagles have been linked with a shock move for the 24-year-old in recent days as he continues to edge towards the Lyon exit door after entering the final 12 months of his contract.
What is the latest news involving Aouar?
French outlet L’Equipe have reported that Palace could attempt to hijack newly-promoted Nottingham Forest’s move for Aouar after they failed to match his price tag.
It’s claimed that Lyon are demanding €15 million (£12.6m) for the one-cap France international, while Forest’s last bid only reached €10m (£8.4m).
Aouar is said to have dreamed of playing in the Premier League, and while he was once tipped to turn out for some of European football’s biggest clubs, the last couple of years have perhaps not been quite as productive as he would have hoped.
Therefore, the likes of Palace and Forest could offer the 5 foot 9 technician his best opportunity to ply his trade in English football’s top-flight.
What has Taylor said about Aouar?
Taylor believes that Aouar has the ability to guide Palace to a top-half finish this term, building on their 12th place finish in Patrick Vieira’s first campaign at the helm last time out.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Palace can get those kinds of players like Ilaix Moriba, Houssem Aouar.
“I mean, Aouar was obviously the subject of a £35 million bid from Arsenal two years ago, and now his contracts due to expire, but no one seems to be in for him, but there's clearly a player in there.
“And that's the kind of player that would really take Palace to the next level, which is, in my view, a top half finish.”
Would Aouar be a good signing?
Aouar quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in Ligue 1 after rising through the ranks at boyhood club Lyon and has gone on to register 40 goals and 35 assists in 216 appearances.
As per FBref, the creative talent has also ranked in the 82nd percentile for non-penalty expected goals, progressive passes, and completed dribbles and the 81st for tackles amongst his positional peers over the last year.
With former loanee Conor Gallagher unlikely to return for a second spell at Selhurst Park, Aouar could replace the attacking impetus from midfield that he provided.
Signing Aouar would surely be considered a significant coup for Palace and Vieira and could elevate the capital club to new heights in what is shaping up to be an exciting era.