Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira will be key in any deal that can be completed between the Eagles and Burnley for winger Dwight McNeil.

What's the story?

Journalist Pete O'Rourke recently told GIVEMESPORT:

“Patrick Vieira, we know what a player he was in the Premier League, he’s a Premier League legend, so I’m sure he does have a lot of pulling power for players, and it does look like he is building an exciting young team at Crystal Palace right now.

“He had a good first season in charge and made some good signings as well, so I’m sure if Dwight McNeil was to make the move to Crystal Palace, Patrick Vieira would play a huge role in that, and his pulling power might help him to make that move to London.”

The Sun recently claimed that McNeil could move to Selhurst Park this summer following Burnley's relegation to the Championship. He definitely is a Premier League quality player so it would make sense for him to depart Turf Moor.

However, Vieira's side face competition from West Ham United who are also monitoring the situation. It would take at least £10m for Burnley to let him leave.

He would be "spell-binding"

If he made the move to South London then Palace fans are in for a treat with the winger previously being described as "spell-binding" by journalist Dan Black.

It's hard to disagree given his impressive performances for Burnley. When you compare him to his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the last year he ranks in the top 6% for crosses into the penalty area.

For a team struggling at the wrong end of the table that's impressive. He's good creatively but is also just as reliable defensively, and ranks in the top 9% for tackles in the midfield third proving he isn't afraid of a battle.

He could be a key player for Palace in the same way he is for Burnley and with some uncertainty over the future of star man Wilfried Zaha who has just 12 months remaining on his contract, he could be a good replacement.

If he were to leave then McNeil could come in as the perfect successor, someone who has plenty of top-flight experience. It's still early days but the 22-year-old is likely to move to a club in the Premier League, and the chance to work under Vieira would be hard to turn down.

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