Crystal Palace could potentially be securing a world class midfielder in the summer, with rumours linking them to Fenerbahce’s Ozan Tufan continuing to intensify.

According to Turkish outlet Ajansspor, the Eagles have been interested in 26-year-old for some time and have increased their offer to sign him having seen a previous effort knocked back in January.

Having been tipped to emulate former Manchester City colossus Yaya Toure earlier in his career by former Fenerbahce Head Coach Vitor Pereira, he could be an excellent addition for Palace.

Pereira said: "He still has a lot to learn and that is my job, but the world will soon have a central midfielder on the level of (Toure) on their hands."

Usually deployed in a midfield position, whether that be more defensive or slightly further forward, Tufan is currently in the midst of one of the most productive seasons of his career so far having plundered five goals and six assists in 27 Super Lig appearances.

Away from his output, the 58-cap Turkey international has also been entrusted with considerable responsibly having captained the Istanbul giants on three occasions in 2020/21.

Palace certainly need a midfielder of such quality heading into next season, with their current options looking depleted.

Both James McCarthy and James McArthur are out of contract at the end of the campaign which leaves just the likes of Luka Milivojevic, Cheikhou Kouyate and Nathan Ferguson as viable options in the centre of the park.

The arrival of Tufan would certainly give the Eagles far more competition in midfield should he continue the sorts of displays that he is producing in his home country.

With just two years left on his contract and rated at £8.55m, any deal for Tufan could also potentially be an affordable one for the hierarchy at Selhurst Park.

If he can produce just a portion of the world class performances that Yaya Toure did in the Premier League, he would certainly be a terrific signing for Crystal Palace. It would surely have Roy Hodgson buzzing at the prospect of him dominating the midfield for the Eagles.

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