Crystal Palace Chasing Move for Ligue 1 Wonderkid... But Face Heavy Competition

Palace Set for Transfer Battle as Wonderkid Race Heats Up

This season so far has been a bit topsy-turvy for Crystal Palace. After a CAS ruling meant their earned spot in the Europa League was handed to Nottingham Forest to highlight their summer, they failed to finish in the top eight of the subsequent Conference League and have slipped to 11th in the Premier League having been up in the European spots at a time.

Suitably, Oliver Glasner and his side have started making their move for new recruits for the January transfer window with a particular impotus being placed upon the wings, as The Eagles close in on a move for Tottenham star Brennan Johnson and prepare for a transfer battle in order to sign a wonderkid from Angers SCO.

📰 @sachatavolieri: AC Milan have been monitoring the profile of Sidiki Chérif, a young and versatile centre-forward born in 2006. pic.twitter.com/WlBLoiM2Th

— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) December 29, 2025

Palace Chase Cherif from Angers

Angers wonderkid Sidiki Cherif is the player in question, with Crystal Palace set to race against the likes of AC Milan and Paris FC for the talented 19-year-old's signature this winter.

In the wing areas, Crystal Palace are left rather lacking by Ismaila Sarr's participation in AFCON this winter and an injury to Daniel Munoz, meaning their wide options have been limited to Yeremy Pino and academy prospects Justin Devenny, Romain Esse and Hindolo Mustapha.

They have agreed a fee with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of former Nottingham Forest starlet Brennan Johnson, though the Wales international is still deciding on where he wants to go this winter.

Congratulations to Ismaïla Sarr and Senegal on qualifying for the AFCON round of 16 ✊🇸🇳#AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/UZyQGa6ixS

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 30, 2025

As well as Johnson, the club are also getting ready for a race with clubs across Europe to procure the arrival of 19-year-old Cherif, who has scored four goals from 12 Ligue 1 starts this season at the age of 19, with his performances and early ability forcing other clubs to mark him down on their shortlists.

Angers are believed to be commanding a fee north of £18m for Cherif, and are fielding interest currently from fellow Ligue 1 side Paris FC, Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt and Serie A giants AC Milan.

Crystal Palace have now joined the race for the talented teenager, although no indication has been given just yet as to how far the interest stretches nor where Cherif wants to play his football, as per Le Parisien.