Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is reportedly plotting to hijack midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s move to Napoli.

What's the story?

The 25-year-old moved to the Italian giants on loan for Fulham with an option to buy over the summer amid interest from the Eagles, but Vieira is hoping to persuade him to join the capital club at the second time of asking.

According to The Sun, the French tactician is still frustrated at his failed attempts to sign Anguissa in the previous window, although he hasn't given up hope of adding the Cameroon international to his ranks.

The report states that: "The Eagles boss is still smarting that he failed to land Anguissa, 25, last summer when Serie A Napoli stepped in to take him and also offered an option to buy from Fulham.

"However, Vieira hopes he can persuade his money men to go big next time and land the powerful all-action star."

It goes on to state that Fulham are hoping to receive a £20m fee for Anguissa's services, although with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2022, they could settle for significantly less.

Vieira plots Crystal Palace move

Since moving to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in June, Anguissa has been one of the standout performers in Sere A, playing a pivotal part in Napoli's rise to the top of the table.

As per WhoScored, the tough-tackling midfielder has averaged two tackles per league game, 1.1 interceptions and 1.3 clearances for Luciano Spalletti's charges.

But he's also heavily contributed to the Azzurri's attacking play as well. In his ten top-flight appearances, Anguissa has averaged 0.9 key passes, a whopping 2.3 dribbles and a 91.5% passing accuracy.

His eye-catching displays on Italian shores have caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including his manager.

“That kind of physicality and stamina is normal in the Premier League, whereas in Italy we tend to favour other characteristics. We were lacking that aspect at Napoli, so he stands out here," said Spalletti.

“He always comes into the locker room and talks about what happened in the first half, what was going on around his position, paying close attention to the movements that the opposition do. He is very tactically intelligent."

With on-loan midfielder Conor Gallagher potentially departing at the end of the campaign in order to return to parent club Chelsea, the £47,000-per-week Anguissa could be the ideal replacement. With that in mind, they must secure his services.

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