Exclusive: Crystal Palace Table Bid for Nantes Starlet Nathan Zeze as Guehi Replacement

Crystal Palace have tabled a bid for Nantes defender Nathan Zeze, according to sources close to SportsBoom. 

The highly-rated centre back is reported to be wanted by fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.

But the Eagles have now expressed an interest to sign the France Under-21 international this summer.

This season’s FA Cup finalists have impressed this term and manager Oliver Glasner is now ready to beat the Cherries for Zeze’s prized signature.

With England international Marc Guehi set to leave the club this summer in a big-money move away from Selhurst Park, Zeze is deemed as a bargain buy as his replacement.

A price tag of around £10-12million has been muted for the highly-rated 19-year-old, tipped to be a real star of the future.

Zeze has dazzled for hometown club Nantes this season and won international recognition for his country at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-21 levels respectively.

And now the talented teenager is understood to be ready to take the next step in his burgeoning career.

The left-footer has been on the Cherries’ radar for some time with the impending departure of Dean Huijsen.

But the Eagles have also been long-time admirers of the player and believe than can beat the Cherries to a deal.

STUMBLING BLOCK

However, the major stumbling block is Zeze’s contract, which does not expire until June 2028, so the French side have bargaining chips if the player decides to leave and they are forced to cash in on their former academy graduate.

Nantes, though, are languishing in 15th place in the Ligue 1 and could still get relegated with three games remaining of the domestic season.

If the club did get relegated it would only enhance the likelihood that Zeze would be out of the exit door, especially given his desire to play at the top level in England.

The youngster has senior international aspirations and would leave if a deal was right despite it only being his first proper season with the club.