Transfer Centre

Crystal Palace keen to sign Stuttgart midfielder Naouirou Ahamada?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 24 January 2023

Crystal Palace reportedly hold an interest in signing Stuttgart midfielder Naouirou Ahamada before the end of the January transfer window.

Crystal Palace have reportedly identified Stuttgart midfielder Naouirou Ahamada as a January transfer target.

During the summer, Patrick Vieira made just three additions which could be deemed to be first-team ready, instead preferring to develop the players signed during the previous two transfer windows.

Having finished in 12th position in the Premier League during 2021-22, the Eagles currently occupy the same spot in the standings, sitting seven points above the relegation zone.

In recent games, Palace have been on the receiving end of a 1-0 scoreline at Chelsea, before they held Champions League-chasing Manchester United and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park.

Despite their recent improvements, it would come as a surprise if Palace did not bring in at least one fresh face before the end of the month.

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira on August 27, 2022 © Reuters

According to the Daily Mail, Ahamada is very much on the club's radar ahead of a potential formal bid.

The report suggests that the relevant parties have already held discussions about a potential mid-season switch to England's top flight.

Ahamada is one of just three players to start each of Stuttgart's 16 matches in the Bundesliga this campaign, highlighting his status in the squad.

The 20-year-old has completed the 90 minutes in four of Stuttgart's last five games, a period in which Stuttgart have collected seven points to move to the brink of getting out of the bottom three.

Hertha Berlin head coach Bruno Labbadia reacts on January 23, 2021 © Reuters

Bruno Labbadia has recently been appointed as the club's new head coach and is likely to want to retain the services of the former France Under-18 international.

However, much may depend on the size of any offer made by Palace with the player still having two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

That said, Stuttgart paid just €1.5m when activating a permanent clause in their loan agreement with Juventus for the youngster ahead of this season.

While Cheick Doucoure is a mainstay in the centre of midfield, Palace could arguably benefit from stronger defensive-minded competition in that area of the pitch.

The likes of Luka Milivojevic and Jairo Riedewald have barely featured in the league this season, with Jeffrey Schlupp getting the nod on the majority of occasions.