Exclusive: League Two side eyeing move for Crystal Palace striker

BY ALEX PEWTER

League Two side Port Vale are in talks with Crystal Palace to sign striker Jemiah Umolu for the rest of the 2024-25 season. 

Umolu, 19, spent two spells on trial with the South London team last season ahead of his impending exit from West Ham. 

He officially joined the team in the summer on a free transfer. 

A mainstay of Darren Powell’s squad this season, the former West Ham academy striker has been in good goalscoring form.

 Having scored nine goals in the squad’s main PL2 competition, including a hat-trick against Tottenham in November, Umolu also played in the team’s three EFL Trophy matches, scoring once against Gillingham. 

Port Vale are currently a point off the automatic promotion places in their division, with 21 matches left, and are seeking a return to League One at the first time of asking under manager Darren Moore. 

Despite that league position, Vale have struggled in front of goal in recent performances. 

They have only scored six times in their past 10 league matches, the lowest return in the division, with two of those coming in Saturday’s victory over Doncaster – an issue they will hope Umolu can help rectify.

PICTURE: ALAMY