Key Crystal Palace midfielder set to leave after talks breakdown but club receive transfer boost

Crystal Palace are set to lose their hard-working midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté after the club and player failed to reach an agreement for an extension.

It’s not all bad news though with the Eagles closing in on signing their target summer target Cheick Doucouré from Lens.

Palace had been quietly optimistic that they could get the Senegalese midfielder to at least stay for one more season, but according to a report on the Daily Mail, the midfielder has not taken up the option to stay.

Last season, Kouyate played in 27 Premier League games and was instrumental as Senegal won their first AFCON trophy last January.

When he returned, he received a hero’s welcome and at that point there were genuine hopes that he could be at Selhurst Park for a couple of seasons.

He has been a good servant for the club after arriving from West Ham in 201.

His professionalism and hard-work has not gone unnoticed by the Eagles faithful and his departure is likely to be acknowledged by everyone associated with the club.

His exit though will be softened by the news that Palace are closing in on key target Doucouré, who is younger and is seen as the next big thing in French football.

Manager Patrick Vieira is a big fan of Kouyate and would have loved for him to stay for at least one more season to help with the settling in of Doucouré, but the manager is also aware that the player is looking at the next deal as his biggest pay cheque and would want security and longevity.

Palace finished an impressive 12th in the Premier League and even though it will be hard to top last season, there is feeling that something beautiful is being built at Selhurst and the right recruitment could lead to another impressive season.