Football
Exclusive: Crystal Palace in Talks to Bring Frank Anguissa Back to the Premier League
Crystal Palace is looking to make a bid for Napoli midfielder Frank Anguissa, who has been told he can leave the Serie A champions. The 29-year-old Cameroon international is on Eagles boss Oliver Glasner's radar, with his contract set to expire soon. Palace are hopeful of securing a deal with reduced terms as competitors like Inter Milan show interest. Anguissa played a key role in Napoli's Serie A title win last season.
US Lecce v SSC Napoli - Serie A Enilive by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Crystal Palace are lining up a bid to sign Napoli midfielder Frank Anguissa, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The highly-rated 29-year-old Cameroon international has been told he can leave last season’s Serie A champions.
And our sources have learnt that Eagles boss Oliver Glasner is a big admirer of the player, capped 63 times for his country.
Palace have kept tabs on Anguissa knowing his current three-year contract is due to expire this summer.
The former Fulham ace enjoyed two seasons with the Cottagers in the Premier League before a loan move to La Liga outfit Villareal.
After impressing in the Spanish top-flight the ex-Marseille man initially joined Napoli on loan, before the Italian side moved quickly to secure a permanent contract.
Anguissa has enjoyed four seasons in Serie A but is believed to be open to a Premier League return.
And with his contract due to expire next week, the Eagles are trying hard to land a bargain before next season.
Anguissa is understood to command wages of £66,500 per week, but the Eagles remain hopeful they can agree a deal with reduced terms, plus add-ons.
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Champions League finalists Inter Milan have been linked with a move for the player, although as yet the Italian giants have not tabled an offer.
But Palace have held initial discussions with the player about a return to England.
Anguissa played 35 league games for Napoli last season having been a mainstay of their side for the past four seasons since his loan spell.
He also scored six goals in the league as the Azzurri won the Serie A crown for the first time in 33 years, a triumph which sparked wild street parties in the city of Naples.
Former Manchester United ace Scott McTominay, who dazzled in his debut season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and Scotland international Billy Gilmour both joined Napoli last season.
While manager Antonio Conte is keen to sign Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez as the club look to mount a successful title-defence next season.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.