Crystal Palace are reportedly one of nine Premier League clubs who have expressed an interest in Slavia Prague starlet El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Manager Oliver Glasner revealed on Friday that the Eagles are determined to sign two players in the January transfer window.
"We want to sign two players in two different positions," Glasner told reporters. "We have to get the deals done and this is the job of the club.
"We have a clear commitment that we will sign two new players. Let's not talk about individual names."
Glasner has deployed a three-at-the-back system since his appointment as Palace boss in February last year and it seems that he is keen to bolster his options in the wing-back department.
© Imago
Palace step up pursuit of in-demand Diouf
According to Sky Sports News, Palace are prioritising the signing of a new left-sided player after they failed to recruit someone who could provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell last summer.
Slavia Prague left wing-back Diouf has now emerged as a potential target for the Eagles, although they face stern competition from Premier League rivals, with almost half of the division said to have sent scouts to watch the youngster in recent months.
It is claimed that the 20-year-old is in line for a winter transfer, with Palace, Nottingham Forest and Brentford among his long list of admirers.
French news outlet Foot Mercato reports that Palace have tabled an opening offer of €15m (£12.4m) for Diouf, but that bid has been rejected, as was their £15m offer for Liverpool winger Ben Doak.
Slavia Prague are said to want a Czech-record fee for Diouf to break the current record held by Tomas Soucek following his £17.4m switch to West Ham United in 2020.
© Imago
Who is El Hadji Malick Diouf?
Diouf - who is not related to the former Liverpool forward with a similar name - was born in Senegal and began his career in his homeland at the Academie Mawade Wade academy, before making the move to Norway to join Tromso in February 2023.
After impressing across 21 appearances during the second half of the season, Diouf was snapped up by Slavia Prague for around €2.5m in January last year, and he has since established himself as an important first-team player.
Indeed, the wing-back has contributed with six goals and three assists in 28 appearances for the Czech giants in all competitions, gaining Champions League and Europa League experience in the process, and he is under contract until June 2028.
Oliver Thomas
