Crystal Palace have "advantage" in race to sign in-demand £36m forward - journalist

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira could attract Napoli winger Hirving Lozano to Selhurst Park this summer, believes journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Both Palace and West Ham are being linked with the 27-year-old, but O’Rourke thinks Vieira’s reputation in the game could give the former an advantage.

According to Area Napoli, Palace and their Premier League rivals West Ham have explored signing Lozano this transfer window.

The same outlet states that the Mexican has a desire to play in English football’s top flight, and it looks like he could be given that opportunity.

Lozano joined Napoli from PSV Eindhoven in a £36m deal three years ago and has since gone on to make 114 appearances for the club.

It now appears, though, that the Mexico international wants a new challenge.

O’Rourke thinks the Vieira factor could give Palace the upper hand in any potential transfer battle for Lozano.

Speaking about their reported interest in the player, the journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “It would definitely be an advantage to Crystal Palace in trying to sign any player, and I’m sure a lot of players across Europe, in the world, would love the opportunity to work under Patrick Vieira and learn under him as well.

“And that’d be no different for Lozano or anybody else, and that’s also an added bonus for Crystal Palace having that up their sleeve – Patrick Vieira’s reputation helping them maybe attract some transfer targets.”

Palace supporters would probably be delighted with the acquisition of Lozano. The Napoli star is a dangerous winger who can score goals.

In 342 club appearances, Lozano has found the back of the net 109 times, with 26 of those strikes coming during his time at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

As per FBref, Lozano has