#crystal-palace

#crystal-palace

Cherif had emerged as a leading candidate to strengthen Palace's attacking options, with head coach Oliver Glasner keen to secure a reliable replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta. Palace were understood to have made significant progress, including reaching an agreement on personal terms with the Angers striker. However, the Premier League side have now been beaten to the deal by Fenerbahce, who moved decisively to wrap up negotiations.

The 23-year-old defender has done quite well for the French outfit Toulouse, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to sanction his departure this month. According to Fabrizio Romano, they have already turned down a couple of proposals for the young defender. They do not want to lose the player in the middle of the season. The 23-year-old has been hailed as an indispensable' asset for the French outfit.

"Confidence is what you get from results," Glasner told BBC Match of the Day. "It is my job, my responsibility, with my staff, my group, to get this confidence back. I saw a lot of positives, but when you are losing 3-1 and have not won for 11 games then it's completely right to say, 'where are the results?' "That's what we have to get. It is up to us to find these puzzle pieces. There's no magician. I always believe in this group, these players, that we will turn it around."

Crystal Palace have identified Joel Piroe as a potential replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Sky Sports reporting that the London club have made an official enquiry for the Leeds United striker. With Mateta strongly linked with a move away from Selhurst Park before the transfer deadline, Palace are preparing contingency plans and Piroe has emerged as one of their leading options.