Crystal Palace line up Afcon winner Oumar Diakite, 20, after missing out on Iliman Ndiaye transfer

9 months ago 56

IVORY COAST attacker Oumar Diakite is being tracked by Crystal Palace.

Dougie Freedman watched Diakite, 20, score for French club Reims against Paris Saint-Germain last week.

Crystal Palace are tracking Reims striker Oumar Diakite[/caption]

The Eagles hoped to sign Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille at the second attempt but he is now in the Ligue 1 side and in no rush to leave.

Diakite could be a perfect alternative after a difficult time at RB Salzburg.

After 18 months in Austria, where he failed to make a first-team appearance, Diakite joined Reims last summer.

He has since shown flashes of the form which saw him register 23 goal contributions in 35 matches for Salzburg’s second team.

His goal against PSG last weekend took his tally to four, with Diakite also adding an assist in a 2-2 draw in Paris.

Meanwhile, he has also won 10 caps for African champions Ivory Coast since making his debut in September.

Five of those appearances came as the Elephants won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil back in February.

Palace’s interest comes after they were linked with a summer move for Ndiaye last month.

Palace have turned their attention away from Marseille’s Iliman Ndiaye[/caption]

The former Sheffield United playmaker had emerged as the Eagles’ top target for next season.

However, Ndiaye has started all six of Marseille’s Ligue 1 matches since returning from AFCON.

He has also scored twice and provided an assist in those matches, which now include a three-match winning streak.