Crystal Palace have hit a brick wall in their bid to sign Angers striker Sidiki Cherif.
According to RMC Sport, transfer talks have stalled with Palace pointing to interference from several English intermediaries who are preventing real progress.
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Palace are on the market for a striker, with Jean-Philippe Mateta making it clear to the club hierarchy that he wants out of Selhurst Park this winter.
The Eagles are going through a tumultuous period on and off the pitch. Former captain Marc Guehi has joined Manchester City in a £20 million deal, which seems to have sparked an exodus.
Aside from Mateta, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has also confirmed that he will leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Palace are reluctant to let Mateta leave, particularly after losing Guehi. However, the Frenchman is attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League and abroad.
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Looking to reinvest the proceeds from Guehi’s move, Palace seemed to be moving swiftly to land a replacement for Mateta before sanctioning his exit.
The Eagles have already agreed personal terms with Cherif, who has been a revelation for the Ligue 1 club since coming through the academy.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to life in Ligue 1 with Angers, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Cherif has been one of the standout young forwards in France this season.
Playing alongside Himad Abdelli, he has brought energy, pace and a calm touch in front of goal to an Angers side fighting to stay competitive.
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Four goals in 19 league appearances may not seem like much, but it has been enough for the teenager to attract serious attention in his first full top-flight campaign.
Palace moved quickly and reached an agreement with the striker on a long-term contract, and were closing in on a €20m (£17.4m) deal with Angers.
Cherif looked destined to end up in the Premier League this month, but Palace are now exploring other options due to external interference.
