According to reports coming out of French news outlet, L’Equipe, Crystal Palace are looking into a possible transfer of highly sought after Ligue 1 goalkeeper, Alban Lafont. It is being reported that Toulouse are set to undergo a massive change in the coming month which could potentially see a number of their key players head for the exit door, Lafont and Issa Diop being two of them.
The Eagles want to capitalize on the situation by bringing the prolific shot-stopper to Selhurst Park. At 19, Lafont has already turned from being a prodigy to one of the best talents to come out of France. He appeared in goal 43 times last season and maintained 16 clean sheets.
Plenty of European outfits were hot on his tails from the winter transfer days but rising interests have cooled in recent times, giving Palace the lead in the race. Lafont is a graduate of the Toulouse youth academy but did spend his initial years training with the amateur outfit, AS Lattoise.
The 19-year-old made the switch to Les Violets in 2014 after which he spent just over a year in the club’s academy. He was handed over his first league debut in November 2015, against OGC Nice. That same season Lafont extended his contract till the summer of 2020 and has over 100 appearances for the club now. His impressive bouts in front of the Pitchouns’ goalline impressed many and he got his name jotted down in the CIES Football Observatory as the second most promising footballer under the age of 20.
Lafont has also represented his country at various youth levels on 19 occasions. In September 2016, he became the youngest footballer to be invited into French football programme, Telefoot. It would be fair to say that Lafont has certainly earned all the praises that have come his way and it also might not be too early for him to start looking towards the next step in his playing career.
The Premier League certainly is a big jump but is Crystal Palace the best outfit to provide him with that opportunity? Especially when Roy Hodgson has just signed former Brazil national team goalkeeper, Diego Cavaleiro on a free transfer?
The 35-year-old will be able to wipe the concerns of Hodgson for a short while but the club might need a starting number one for the future. Julian Speroni and Wayne Hennessey have just not been good enough to remain with the side, which prompted the manager to look for better options.
Lafont will also cost the Eagles a significant amount since he also has two more years left in his current deal. However, it should be money well spent if the Eagles make a move for the French youngster.
