Crystal Palace have reportedly been interested in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare for most of this summer transfer window, although Patrick Vieira has been busy despite not yet securing this mooted deal.

The 24-year-old has been the subject of interest from a wide array of clubs across Europe, with some of the Premier League’s elite taking a particular interest. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been noted as suitors, with the player reportedly available for around £34m.

That said, claims last week state that PSV want him to sign a new deal, so the Eagles will now need to act incredibly quickly if they want to sign him.

Sangare joined the Eredivisie side from Toulouse in 2020 and has quickly become one of the best-performing midfielders in the division, ranking in the top 10 for that position last term (as per Sofascore).

Branded an “unbelievable baller” by Nottingham-based football writer Callum Castel, the Ivory Coast international would be a huge statement signing for Vieira’s side and could form a powerful midfield partnership with summer arrival Cheick Doucoure.

Since loanee Conor Gallagher returned to his parent club Chelsea, there has been something of a void to fill for Palace, who will certainly miss the man who ran an astounding 12.3km - a club record for the season - during their draw against Manchester City in March.

Goals could also be harder to come by from midfield, as the England international scored eight in the league in 2021/22, although Sangare did chip in with five Eredivisie goal contributions for PSV last term despite operating in a more defensive role.

His performances earned him an average SofaScore rating of 7.38, the fourth-best out of his team-mates. If he could bring this consistency to the base of the Palace midfield, it would provide greater security to allow the team's more creative players to shine.

The Eagles are inundated with remarkable young attackers like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, but just need some engine room security to allow the more attack-minded players to flourish without worrying about what's going on behind them.

A team-wide pass accuracy of 80%, combined with a tackle success rate of 59%, could also be vastly improved if Sangare joins, as last season he averaged an 86% pass accuracy and won 63% of his duels.

Combined with Doucoure’s two interceptions and 2.2 tackles per game, it would make for a combative midfield which could make life rather difficult for the Eagles' opponents.

Sangare’s battling nature combined with the ability to thread a pass makes him a standout player across European football, and it would appear to be a huge coup for Palace to secure his signature.

It could well create one of the most promising midfield partnerships in the Premier League.