Exclusive: Crystal Palace tracking Stade de Reims striker

Crystal Palace are monitoring Stade de Reims forward Oumar Diakite ahead of a possible summer move, sources in France have told the South London Press.

Eagles transfer chiefs have been to watch the 20-year-old this season, with Diakite scoring in the 2-2 draw at Paris Saint Germain last weekend.

The 6ft striker was involved with the Ivory Coast squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations win as they lifted the trophy following a 2-1 final victory over Nigeria.

Diakite joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2022 and was immediately loaned out to join sister team Liefering in the Austrian second division, where he scored 12 goals and recorded 11 assists during a season-and-a-half spell.

New Palace boss Oliver Glasner would have a strong knowledge of the Austrian leagues after playing his entire career in his home country and leading LASK as manager from the second division to the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Glasner, 49, also spent time at RB Salzburg as an assistant coach to Roger Schmidt.

Diakite joined Reims in the summer on a five-year deal and has five goal contributions in 19 Ligue 1 outings.

Palace could look to cash in on Odsonne Edouard this summer as the 26-year-old will enter the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park at the end of the season.