Crystal Palace eye move for Ngal’ayel Mukau | OneFootball

Crystal Palace are one of the clubs eyeing a move for Lille’s Ngal’ayel Mukau this summer, according to L’Equipe.

He has caught the eye with mesmerising displays in the engine room for the French side.

Mukau, who has been hailed for his ‘enormous qualities’, broke out as a defensive midfielder but is playing a more attacking role under Bruno Genesio.

The 21-year-old is adept at breaking up play, intercepting danger, shielding the backline and driving play forward, a profile the Palace need in the centre of the park.

Palace ace Cheick Doucoure has been sidelined for most of the past two seasons, leaving a gaping hole in midfield.

Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Daichi Kamada have all helped out, but the club needs a specialist at anchoring the midfield, and Mukau fits the bill.

However, Palace are not alone in the race for his signature, with Premier League rivals West Ham United also keen as they look to bolster their squad.

It is unclear how hard Palace will push to get a deal for Mukau over the line, but they are poised to reshape their midfield in the summer transfer window.

Palace’s chief conductor, Adam Wharton, is set to leave the club this summer, with several European giants circling. They will enter the market to replace him.

The Eagles also need a new experienced centre-half to replace Marc Guehi following his winter transfer window exit.

Signing another difference-maker in attack will also go a long way next season. Palace need a clinical forward with a creative side.

The biggest change of all will likely come in the dugout with Oliver Glasner leaving the club following a hugely successful stint.

The Eagles must bring in a quality manager to take the torch from the Austrian tactician.