Crystal Palace have been handed a potential advantage in their ongoing pursuit of promising Lens midfielder Andy Diouf, with new developments suggesting that the 22-year-old favors a move to Selhurst Park over joining Burnley.
According to a report from French newspaper *L’Équipe*, the young midfielder has paused on finalizing a switch to Burnley despite a deal being nearly complete. The Premier League club has already reached a broad agreement with Diouf’s current team, RC Lens, for a transfer worth around €20 million. However, Diouf himself has yet to fully commit to the move, keeping the door open for other suitors — particularly Crystal Palace — to re-enter the picture.
Burnley currently holds the upper hand in the negotiations, at least from a logistical standpoint. They’ve made formal progress with Lens and have secured an agreement in principle, which theoretically puts them in pole position to secure Diouf’s signature. Yet despite that progress, Diouf has reportedly hesitated, suggesting that his personal preference may lie elsewhere.
That “elsewhere,” according to *L’Équipe*, is Crystal Palace. The English club had already shown strong interest in Diouf back in January, and reports as recently as the end of May indicated that Palace was still tracking the Frenchman as a key target for the summer transfer window.
Diouf, aware of Palace’s long-standing interest, appears to be hoping the club will reignite talks. The report states that the midfielder has recently indicated that if given the choice, he would opt to join Crystal Palace over Burnley. This preference is fueling speculation that he may be deliberately stalling on Burnley’s offer, possibly in the hope that Palace makes a formal approach in the coming days.
For now, Burnley remains the only club with a concrete deal on the table. However, *L’Équipe* describes the situation as trending toward a two-horse race between Burnley and Crystal Palace. While Burnley’s willingness to strike an agreement with Lens makes them the frontrunner on paper, Diouf’s reluctance to sign on the dotted line hints at a more nuanced situation developing behind the scenes.
The major sticking point for Palace, however, is that they have not yet reached any form of agreement with Lens. Without formal negotiations or a matching €20 million offer, they are effectively spectators as Burnley continues to push for a conclusion. The ball, it seems, is in Crystal Palace’s court if they want to make a serious play for Diouf before Burnley finalizes the transfer.
The player’s hesitation is significant. Transfers at this level typically advance quickly once a club and selling team come to terms, especially if the buying team is in urgent need of reinforcements. Burnley’s current situation — trying to strengthen their midfield ahead of a challenging season — has made Diouf a top priority. But without the player’s full commitment, the move has hit a temporary standstill.
For Crystal Palace, this could be an ideal opportunity to jump back into the frame. Their longstanding admiration for Diouf, combined with his clear openness to the move, makes the deal not only realistic but also potentially transformative for their squad. The South London club has been searching for dynamic midfielders to add to their depth and bring more energy to their engine room. Diouf’s age, physical profile, and technical skill set align well with the club’s recruitment model under manager Oliver Glasner.
Additionally, Diouf’s recent experience in Ligue 1 and in European competition has increased his value. His development at Lens over the past season has been notable, with consistent performances that drew attention from multiple clubs across the continent. He’s shown composure in possession, tactical awareness, and the ability to contribute in both defensive and attacking transitions — all traits that Premier League clubs covet.
Burnley, despite making the first serious move, now face the challenge of convincing the player that Turf Moor is the right next step for his career. With no decision made yet, the transfer saga could take several more turns. Burnley will be hopeful that their proactive approach and agreement with Lens will be enough to sway Diouf, but without the player’s wholehearted buy-in, the deal could remain in limbo.
From Diouf’s perspective, the delay makes strategic sense. Choosing the right club at this stage of his career is crucial, and Palace arguably offer a more stable platform, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding Burnley’s immediate Premier League future. Furthermore, Crystal Palace’s recent track record of developing young talent — like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise — may add to their appeal for the Frenchman.
As of now, the situation remains fluid. Burnley has the advantage in terms of club-to-club agreement, but Crystal Palace still hold the upper hand where the player’s preference is concerned. The coming days will be crucial as both English clubs consider their next moves.
If Palace decide to meet Lens’ €20 million valuation and enter into negotiations officially, they could leapfrog Burnley in the race. However, should they delay too long, Burnley may still be able to close the deal and bring Diouf to Turf Moor.
What is clear is that Diouf has not yet made his final decision, and his hesitation has reopened the door for Crystal Palace to act. Whether the Eagles choose to capitalize on that opportunity remains to be seen.
