Crystal Palace midfielder linked with Champions League transfer as contract talks go on

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouayte is rumoured to be a transfer target for Turkish champions Trabzonspor.

The Eagles midfielder, 32, will see his contract at Selhurst Park expire before the start of the 2022/23 campaign though he has reportedly been in talks with the club to extend his stay in south London. Kouyate made 31 appearances for Palace last season, regularly featuring for Patrick Vieira in the defensive midfield role.

His physicality and experience as a senior member of the dressing room have been vital during the club’s recent rebuild, though his reputation within the Palace fanbase took a hit following his public backing of Idrissa Gueye in May. Kouyate shared a message of support with his Senegal teammate after the PSG star had reportedly refused to play a game for the Parisians due to a rainbow-coloured kit.

Despite that incident, which Vieira said he would speak to the midfielder about, Kouyate is still seen as an important member of the Palace team while his most recent campaign shows he still has lots to offer to the Eagles. With club captain Luka Milivojevic further down the pecking order and linked with a move away from the club, keeping Kouyate for at least another year would represent good business.

Speaking in March about what the midfielder brings to the team, Vieira said: “He gives you the balance. He wins so many balls, can stop the counter-attack and bring physicality. He’s the one to win the ball and his first pass is always good. He has the physical presence we want in the Premier League - the competitiveness and physicality - and his experience is what we need.”

The recently-crowned AFCON winner is free to talk to other clubs if he chooses though, with Turkish outlet Fanatik