Crystal Palace are targeting the Ligue 1 star striker as they refuse to meet Mateta’s huge wage demands

Crystal Palace have placed Oumar Diakite at the top of their list of replacements for Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The Eagles are keeping an eye on the Ivory Coast striker from Reims for several months, as we found out — and again last week.

2

2

Diakite, 20, could be sold by a French club and Palace want to be at the forefront in case contract negotiations with the Mateta stable.

Mateta’s string of goals this year and his appearance in the French Olympic team have sparked interest.

Castle want him to stay and perhaps still meet his demands on a new deal for around £90,000 a week.

The striker has scored five goals this season but has been watched by defenders Mark Guei and Trevo Chalobah. helped Palace to a 2-2 draw with Wolves.

Coach Oliver Glasner said: “As I said, I think we could have decided the match at the right moments when we had the momentum on our side, but we didn’t.

“But overall I think the players were asked: ‘Can they score a goal like this with so many players missing?’ And the team, the players showed the correct answer.

“I mentioned this in the press conference before the game: it’s time for others to step up.

“We had two defenders score from set-pieces today and we also created a lot of chances, so overall I think the mood is good and we go back to London with an unbeaten week, so everything is fine.”

SPECIAL CASINO – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

“This is football and for me (the important thing) is that we play our way, we play with confidence, we play forward, we try to score goals.

“I think that’s what we found again this week: playing forward, attacking style, playing with courage. This is how we want to play.”

“Overall, I’m very pleased with the performance.”