Crystal Palace to battle Sunderland for Senegal international midfielder
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Crystal Palace are set to go head-to-head with Sunderland in a bid to land Senegal international midfielder Stephane Badji when the transfer window re-opens.
The 24-year-old, currently plying his trade in Norway with SK Brann, has been in impressive form for club and country of late, earning him a recall to the Senegal side three years after making his debut.
At 6ft3in Badji is an imposing midfield presence and could be just what the Eagles need to shore up a side that has leaked 20 goals already this term – more than everyone bar QPR.
A number of Premier League clubs, including Sunderland, have already run the rule over the player, who put in a star showing in Senegal’s recent 1-0 win over Egypt, and with Brann said to have set his buy-out clause at a mere £600,000 a scramble for his services could soon ensue.
The move for Badji could come as part of a double bargain swoop from Warnock, with Palace also linked with AC Milan forward Nmandi Oduamadi.
The Nigerian recently revealed that Palace scouts had been to see him in action and that it would be a ‘dream come true’ to play in the Premier League.
Next up for Palace is the visit of Liverpool to south London, for which the hosts are priced as 10/3 underdogs.
The Reds have been struggling to live up to the standards they set last year but still go into this meeting as the heavy favourites at 4/5.
The draw is available at 13/5 and with Palace losing four of their last five, a share of the points could be the best they can hope for.
And, with champions Manchester City and high flying Southampton still to come before the turn of the year, the need for reinforcements could yet be enhanced.
