Crystal Palace are seemingly progressing in their hopes of signing Ilaix Moriba from RB Leipzig this summer, and the 19-year-old could be a great long-term addition to Patrick Vieira's side.

What's the word?

According to one journalist on the continent, Palace are advancing towards the signing of Moriba, although they will face competition from Valencia, who want to re-sign the youngster after he spent the second half of last season on loan with the Spanish side.

They said on Twitter: "Ilaix, between the Premier and Valencia. Crystal Palace advances to obtain the transfer of the midfielder. In Valencia they dream of his return but they see it as very complicated. There are other better-placed options."

The teenager only joined Leipzig from Barcelona last summer but struggled to make any real impact with the Bundesliga side in his first season at the club, and according to Bild were willing to let him go due to disciplinary issues.

However, he is still only young and with a manager such as Vieira mentoring him, he could realise his obvious potential at Selhurst Park.

An incredible future at Palace

It is difficult to judge Moriba's performances in recent seasons, as he has only made a combined 42 first-team appearances in his career thus far.

However, the Guinea international, who earns £25k per week at Leipzig, showed a lot of promise in his early days at Barcelona scoring one goal and providing two assists in just 14 league appearances for the Catalan club in the 2020/21 campaign.

Former Barcelona B boss Garcia Pimenta was full of praise for Moriba and fellow youngster Konrad de la Fuente after a win in 2020.

He said: “Both Ilaix and Konrad have been decisive. Ilaix has a lot of merit because he is a first-year youth, but Konrad is third, and in such an important match they have shown that they have an incredible future.

“Today they have given a brutal performance. They have made a very complete match. This shows that they are competitive, winners, with Barça DNA and with a future to be in this club. Hopefully, in the future they will be first team players.”

Palace have brought in Cheick Doucoure this summer, and the pair could form a dominative duo in the middle of the park with the Guinea international ranking in the top 4% of players in Europe's top leagues for passes blocked, the top 2% for interceptions made and the best 12% for tackles per 90 minutes.

This is a player who would certainly fit into the style of football Vieira wants to play, with the talented midfielder also ranking in the top 1% of players for pressures applied.

Already boasting such impressive stats at the age of 19, it's clear he has a massive future in the game. The Palace faithful will just have to hope it's at Selhurst Park.