Portuguese club Sporting CP, have reportedly turned down €8m bid from English Premier League side Crystal Palace to sign Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, according to Adeptos
The Eagles are in the market for a winger after losing Wilfried Zaha as a free agent and have set their sights on the 19-year-old, who can operate on both wings.
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor wants to sign the Ghanaian international. However, reports in Portuguese media say that Sporting have rejected the English side’s initial €8m offer for the promising winger.
The wideman’s deal expires in 2027, but another factor could favour Crystal Palace. The newspaper states Sporting manager Rúben Amorim has left Fatawu out of his plans for the new season.
This has seen him currently train with their B team. Sportsworldghana.com understands that Sporting CP consider him to be ‘expandable’ and value him at €15m. In addition to this, the Portuguese club want to receive 20% of the fee from any future sale.
Fatawu prefers to operate on the right wing, a position currently occupied by Michael Olise at Selhurst Park. Olise is being chased by both Manchester City and Chelsea in the ongoing Summer transfer window.
WHO IS ABDUL FATAWU ISSAHAKU?
In 2019, the-then 15-year-old started his career with Ghanaian second-tier club Steadfast FC and recorded 13 goal contributions in 12 games before the league was halted due to the pandemic.
In his second season, the frontman scored 12 goals and crafted 12 assists in 14 league outings.
This scintillating form meant he was selected for his homeland’s 2021 Africa U20 Cup of Nations squad, and he played in every game, scoring twice to help his side win the title.
That year, the dynamic technician was included in The Guardian’s ‘Next Generation 2021’ and they wrote:
“Arguably the best African prospect of his generation. The Tamale native is an all-action midfielder who can play behind a striker or on the right wing, where he cuts on to his powerful left foot and plays incisive passes. He was especially electric at the 2021 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations where he was named player of the tournament, despite being younger than the vast majority of the players.”
As a result of his glimmering potential, Fatawu has 14 caps for his nation and secured a move to Sporting in April 2022.
Upon his sudden explosion into European football, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim feels he is a “great talent” and Palace’s interest is an indication of his frightening trajectory.
The possible addition of Fatawu is, however, not an expectation for him to emulate Olise’s numbers – as the former Dreams FC forward has only made 12 appearances for the senior side.
