Crystal Palace are pondering over a potential surprise return for a former striker in a reunion with soon-to-be head coach Pierre Sage, reports Sportsboom.
The Eagles head into the summer with change expected across almost all levels of the team, with the managerial position being the first dilemma for the hierarchy to solve after Oliver Glasner’s exit.
It appears as though Sage will be in the Selhurst Park hot seat, after the club reached an agreement in principle with RC Lens for the 47-year-old.
Once that is confirmed, attention will turn towards potential signings, as Crystal Palace have to balance Premier League ambitions with Europa League hopes for next season.
Several positions will need to be considered, especially at centre-forward, amid doubts over Jean-Philippe Mateta. With that in mind, there is now interest in a potential surprise return for a striker target.
Crystal Palace Linked With Odsonne Edouard Return
Stephanie Lecocq Via Reuters
As Crystal Palace close in on the appointment of Sage as head coach, Sportsboom claims that a return for Odsonne Edouard is being considered.
The reports states that the manager is keen on reuniting with the striker, having signed him for RC Lens last summer for a fee in the region of £3.2 million.
The 28-year-old made 36 appearances for the Ligue Un club, where he scored 14 goals with three assists, helping them to finish second in the division while also sealing the Coupe de France trophy.
That has seemingly helped spark the thought of a potential move back to Selhurst Park, just one year on from the club deciding to let him go.
It remains to be seen what sort of valuation Lens could place on the forward, if they do indeed let him leave, though any move back to the Premier League with Crystal Palace would come as quite the shock.
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Crystal Palace Must Avoid Transfer Return
Hannah Mckay via Reuters
A move for a striker in the transfer window would be wise for Crystal Palace, especially if Mateta leaves as many will expect him to this summer.
Jorgen Strand Larsen was signed in January with that in mind and there will be no doubts that he will be the man to lead the line heading into next season.
Another profile of forward would be ideal, especially considering Eddie Nketiah’s battles with form and injury since joining from Arsenal, but Edouard wouldn’t be a wise move.
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Crystal Palace are ready to make their move.
The striker didn’t have the impact many wanted at Selhurst Park, scoring just 21 goals in 105 appearances, leading to a loan at Leicester City and then his eventual exit to Lens.
Having worked with Sage for the past year, there is clearly that connection there, but Edouard has already proven that he has found it difficult to adjust to life in the Premier League.
A return for the striker is unlikely to wield any result other than another difficult time of it.