Football

Report: Crystal Palace want £4.3m Southampton target who’s better than Nicolas Pépé

Brest's French defender Lilian Brassier (R) fights for the ball with Nantes' Congolese forward Randal Kolo Muani during the French L1 football matc...
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images

According to le10sport, Crystal Palace have joined Southampton in the race to sign FC Nantes forward Randal Kolo Muani.

The 22-year-old is also wanted by Olympique Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Le10sport claim that the Eagles and the Saints are eyeing the 7-cap France Under-21 international, who only has a year left on his contract.

Elsewhere, an earlier report from France Football wrote that FC Nantes would like to receive at least €7 million (£6 million) if they sold Muani.

However, due to the financial impacts of COVID-19, they are more likely to receive €5 million (£4.3 million) – especially given the forward’s contract situation.

Le10sport describe the Frenchman as an attacker who has speed, power and agility.

What else is there to know about Muani?

Randal Kolo Muani of Nantes during the French League 1  match between RC Lens v Nantes at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on November 25, 2020 in Lens F...
Photo by BSR/Soccrates/Getty Images

Well, interestingly, the FC Nantes No.23 has been described as a more complete player than Arsenal’s Nicolas Pépé.

While Muani was on loan at US Boulogne, the club’s Sporting Director Aurélien Capoue raved about the Crystal Palace and Southampton target.

Ligue 1’s official website quote him as saying: “Randal was too good for the league and for the players he came up against every weekend. He has all the qualities needed to succeed.

“By comparison, I remember a player called Nicolas Pépé playing in the Championnat National when he was loaned out by Angers to Orléans. Randal is much better than Pépé. He is a more complete player.”

Nicolas Pepe celebrates scoring Arsenal's 3rd goal, his 2nd, during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on...
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

£4.3 million is loose change to the likes of Crystal Palace and Southampton, who benefit from the riches of the Premier League TV deals.

In that respect, this is an entirely feasible transfer.

Keep an eye on Muani’s future – if he doesn’t leave now, FC Nantes risk losing him for nothing.

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