Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is keen on bringing PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare to the Premier League.

What's the word?

That is according to a report from The Sun, who claimed that Palace are keen to strengthen their midfield options this summer.

The outlet states that the Eagles will face competition from Leicester City for the 24-year-old's signature, with the Ivory Coast international rated at around £30m.

Sangare is viewed as an option who can bring stability to the midfield and serves as a more than adequate replacement for Cheikhou Kouyate, who is out of contract next month.

Kouyate upgrade

The signing of Sangare, who has been described by African journalist Alpha Balde as a "passionate" player, would provide Eagles boss Vieira with an immediate upgrade over Kouyate, whose future is uncertain.

As a holding midfielder who boasts experience in the Europa League, it is no surprise that Sangare betters the 32-year-old's participations in both attack and defence.

The Ivorian's game is much more well-rounded than his Senegalese equivalent, and a switch to Selhurst Park would see the 24-year-old rank first in the Eagles' squad for certain metrics.

With an average of 65.6 accurate passes per 90, he ranks higher than Palace's most accurate passer in Joachim Andersen, who has registered a match average of 59 passes per 90. It's the same case for successful tackles per 90, with Sangare beating Kouyate's match average of 1.7 with his return of 2.2 tackles won per game.

Having registered four goal contributions this season in the form of three goals and one assist in 26 Eredivisie appearances for PSV, he equals Kouyate's scoring record from the last three seasons combined.

Sangare's average of 1.5 shots and 1.7 dribbles per 90 make him a more stable and rounded option in the centre of the pitch for Palace, but it's his average of 3.3 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game which will have Vieira licking his lips at the prospect of signing him.

The 24-year-old could elevate Palace to that next level, so the Eagles boss is right to be looking at the PSV colossus as an upgrade on Kouyate.

In other news: CPFC could find their new Ian Wright by signing "goal machine", imagine him and Zaha