Crystal Palace are in advanced talks with Cheikhou Kouyate over a new Selhurst Park deal, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Kouyate under Vieira
Kouyate has been a regular during Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge of Palace, making 26 appearances in all competitions.
The 32-year-old has turned out as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and centre-midfielder, scoring his only goal of the campaign against Stoke City in the FA Cup.
The Senegal international is one of a number of Eagles players out of contract at the end of June, but it looks as if he is set to stay at the club beyond the summer.
The Latest: Source shares update
Football Insider shared a story regarding Kouyate after being informed by a recruitment source.
They claim that Palace are in advanced talks with the player over a new deal, with Kouyate ready to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
The Verdict: Good news
Kouyate looks set to be Dougie Freedman's first piece of summer business and has played his part in Vieira’s impressive first season in charge, so it makes sense to keep him around as Palace look to build on the platform that has been set.
His versatility will continue to be handy, especially with the likes of James Tomkins and Jaroslaw Jach potentially departing over the coming months.
That could leave Vieira with just three senior centre-backs, one of which being injury-prone Nathan Ferguson, so knowing Kouyate will stay and can fill in at the back when required is welcome news.
In other news: Patrick Vieira now wants to sign 25 y/o at top of his game after worrying reveal on Palace star.