CRYSTAL PALACE have put Oumar Diakite at the top of their list of Jean-Philippe Mateta replacements.
The Eagles have watched Reims’ Ivory Coast striker for months as we revealed — and again last week.
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Diakite, 20, could be sold by the French club and Palace want to be at the front of the queue in case contract talks with Mateta stall.
Mateta’s run of goals this year and his emergence in France’s Olympic squad has attracted interest.
Palace want him to stay and may yet meet his demands for a new deal on around £90,000 a week.
The striker has five goals this season but watched as defenders Marc Guehi and Trevoh Chalobah helped Palace to a 2-2 draw at Wolves.
Manager Oliver Glasner said: “As I mentioned, I think we could have decided the game in the right moments when we had the momentum on our side, that’s what we didn’t do.
“But overall, I think [the players] were asked: ‘are they able to score a goal as they are, when so many players are missing?’ And the team, the players, showed the right answer.
“I mentioned it at the press conference before the game: it’s time for others to step up.
“We had two defenders today scoring goals after set-plays, and also we created a lot of chances so overall, I think the mood is okay, and we go back to London with an unbeaten week, so everything’s fine.
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“It’s football, and for me what is [important] is that we play our way, that we play with confidence, we play forward, we try to score goals.
“I think this is what we’ve found again this week: this playing forward, attacking style, playing with bravery. This is how we want to play.
“Overall, I’m really pleased with the performance.”
