Crystal Palace face competition over their potential summer swoop for Derby County winger Malcolm Ebiowei.

What's the word?

That is according to a report from the Derby Telegraph, who claim that Ebiowei is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds and Fulham - as well as German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

The Rams are not able to offer new deals for out-of-contract players until a takeover is completed, with the 18-year-old looking as though he will be available on a free, amidst his expiring contract.

Ayew upgrade

The potential free-signing of Ebiowei presents an opportunity for Vieira to plan for the long-term future of the club, whilst signing a prospect who could be seen as an upgrade on current option Jordan Ayew.

30-year-old Ayew, who has been deemed as "utter rubbish" by David Law, has somewhat misfired in comparison to the heights we witnessed back in the 19/20 season, where he scored nine goals for Crystal Palace.

With just five goal contributions, in the form of two goals and three assists, from 30 appearances for Palace, Vieira should look for a more consistent and clinical forward who can offer more to the Eagles' front-line.

Ebiowei has not just been dubbed "brilliant" by The Athletic's Elias Burke but also as someone with "so much talent" in the words of Derby's first-team development coach, Justin Walker.

With that in mind, the 18-year-old would be an absolute gift for the 45-year-old Frenchman, with his two assists - across 15 games a surefire sign that he could outdo the Ghanian international if we was given the platform to do so.

Perhaps the biggest advantage that Ebiowei possesses in comparison to Ayew, besides age and potential, is his left foot.

His left-footed preference would enable Vieira to utilise the young Englishman as an inverted winger, in a similar vein to how Pep Guardiola uses Riyad Mahrez for Manchester City.

In terms of metrics, Ebiowei's average of 1.3 shots per game is similar to Ayew's total of 1.1 SpG, though his match average of 3.2 dribbles per game cannot be matched by the 30-year-old who maintains an average of 1.1 Drb, as per WhoScored.

As a better ball progressor who has almost matched the attacking returns of Ayew in half of the appearances, Ebiowei has the potential to be Ayew's long-term successor.

And to top it all off, Vieira has a gift of an opportunity to sign the 18-year-old on a free contract.

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