‘He deserves this’ – Crystal Palace boss talks through forward’s Leicester City transfer switch

Oliver Glasner has hailed Jordan Ayew’s contributions to Crystal Palace and says the Ghanaian international deserved the opportunity to earn a longer contract with Premier League rivals Leicester City.

Our paper revealed that the Foxes paid an £8million fee to sign the 32-year-old, who completed his switch today.

Ayew has made 212 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 23 times and picking up 22 assists in all competitions.

The former Aston Villa forward was entering the final year of his deal at Selhurst Park.

Ayew has signed a two-year contract at Leicester.

Glasner said: “I don’t want to speak about the fee. You can’t buy a character of a player, and Jordan is a great character.

“How he dealt with the situation. He used to be a starter for five-and-a-half years. 

“Then, when we changed the system, and at the end of the season, Michael [Olise], Ebs [Eberechi Eze] and JP [Mateta] were performing unbelievably well, he worked so hard.”

Ayew started 30 Premier League matches for Palace last season.

He started on the bench in the 2-1 defeat at Brentford on Sunday, coming on for the final 20 minutes to replace Daichi Kamada.

Glasner added: “He didn’t get the minutes I would have liked to have given him. 

“He’s a great player and a great guy, and how professionally he dealt with the situation, it’s fantastic.

“This, you can’t pay with a fee.

“Now, he’s 32, and he got an offer for a long-term contract. 

“If he wants to take this opportunity, a guy such as Jordan deserves that we’re open-minded about this and that we listen to him to give him this chance and opportunity.

“Especially with a player like him, who has given everything for the last six years for this club. 

“That’s why, if the deal happens, I wish him all the best. He deserves this.”