Crystal Palace have reportedly entered talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a move for Odilon Kossounou.
The Eagles have been slow movers in the summer transfer window, with only Jefferson Lerma arriving at Selhurst Park on a free transfer from Bournemouth so far. Roy Hodgson wants more reinforcements in different areas of the pitch, with defence being among the priorities.
According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace have proposed a loan deal with an obligation to buy for £24million for Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou.
Highly rated in the Bundesliga, Kossounou, 22, moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 from Club Brugge and has performed well. He was a regular starter at the back for Xabi Alonso’s side last season, helping Bayer to a sixth-placed finish in the Bundesliga and a run to the Europa League semi-finals.
Regardless of missing the final few weeks of the 2022/23 campaign with a muscle injury, the Ivory Coast international has since returned to full fitness and featured in three pre-season games for Alonso’s Bayer team.
Odilon Kossounou to Crystal Palace—Good defensive option?
Behind the scenes, a potential departure of Joachim Andersen, eyed by Newcastle United and Tottenham, and the interest surrounding Marc Guehi has accentuated Crystal Palace’s urgency to bolster their defensive options for the new Premier League season. At right-back, Roy Hodgson only has Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward as options at his disposal, so adding more strength in depth will be imperative.
Odilon Kossounou, in that regard, would be perfect for the Eagles. A centre-back by trade, the 22-year-old can also fill in as a right-back and defensive midfielder on occasion—and such versatility undoubtedly enhances his appeal to Palace, offering tactical flexibility and much-needed depth.
Standing at 6ft 3ins tall, the Ivorian is a strong and intimidating defender with great tackling skills. The centre-back’s long limbs and the immaculate timing of interceptions make it difficult for the opponent to go past him. Kossounou is also very strong in the air and relishes playing against physically robust forwards. He would undoubtedly add strength and depth to the Eagles’ defence, whilst being a reliable potential replacement for the wantaway Andersen.
At 22, the Ivory Coast international still has room for improvement and he could develop his game under an experienced manager like Roy Hodgson. Kossounou has the qualities to hit the ground running in the Premier League and become a crucial cog in Hodgson’s backline.
There’s a sense of urgency to bring in new players to negate some of the weaknesses in the squad, and Palace would do a brilliant job by signing Kossounou from Bayer Leverkusen on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
