Crystal Palace Eye Lassine Sinayoko as Pierre Sage Prepares for Selhurst Park Switch
Crystal Palace are expected to intensify their pursuit of AJ Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko as Pierre Sage closes in on a move to Selhurst Park.
The French coach is widely reported to be on the verge of replacing Oliver Glasner, with several outlets in England describing the deal as virtually complete. Sage is set to arrive in south London facing an immediate challenge in reshaping Palace’s attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
The Eagles are preparing for significant changes in the final third. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been one of the club’s most influential attacking players in recent seasons, is understood to be seeking a fresh challenge and is not expected to stand in the way of a summer departure. Meanwhile, Christantus Uche, who spent time at the club on loan from Getafe, is not expected to remain beyond the end of his current arrangement.
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Those developments have left Palace actively searching for reinforcements, with club officials keen to bring in at least one new striker, and potentially two, before the transfer window closes. The priority is to find forwards capable of offering mobility, intensity, physicality and a consistent threat in and around the penalty area.
Given his extensive knowledge of the French market, Sage is believed to have already identified several players who fit the profile he wants. One name that continues to attract attention is Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko.
The Mali international enjoyed another productive campaign in Ligue 1 and has emerged as one of the most highly regarded attacking players outside France’s traditional elite clubs. His combination of pace, strength and relentless work rate has reportedly impressed Palace’s recruitment team, while his ability to stretch defences and contribute aggressively out of possession is viewed as particularly well suited to the demands of Premier League football.
At 26, Sinayoko is entering what many consider the peak years of his career. He remains under contract with Auxerre until 2027, but reports in France suggest he could be available for a fee in the region of €10 million — a figure that would be considered highly affordable for a Premier League side.
Perhaps most significantly, the player is already well known to Sage. Sources in France indicate the coach was an admirer of Sinayoko long before Crystal Palace entered the picture. During his time in Ligue 1, Sage is said to have pushed for the forward to be considered as a potential target at RC Lens, highlighting the player’s suitability for a high-energy, vertical style of football.
With Palace preparing for a new era under French management and an attacking rebuild potentially on the horizon, Sinayoko could become one of the first names linked to the Sage project at Selhurst Park.
