Tottenham Hotspur have now joined a multi-club race for a £35 million Rennes striker as Crystal Palace tensions grow.
Crystal Palace are currently seeing their stars picked off following their impressive domestic campaign last season.
Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze have been poached by Manchester City and Arsenal, respectively, with the former happening more recently during the January market.
The Eagles, though, have looked to add depth to their squad, with Spurs selling Brennan Johnson to the south London club earlier in the winter window, but now the two sides are in a race for an emerging striker.
Tottenham among clubs tracking Mohamed Kader Meite
This report comes from TeamTalk, who claim that there are eight clubs in the race to sign Rennes’ 18-year-old striker Mohamed Kader Meite.
The teenager, who stands at 6ft 4in, has caught the attention of sides across Europe after featuring 16 times in Ligue 1 for Rennes this term, notching three goals and two assists in the process.
Spurs are among those said to be keen on the forward and have sent scouts to watch him, but they are far from alone, with Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Brentford and Brighton also having monitored Meite in recent weeks.
Palace, however, are understood to be leading the race for the teenage forward, having enquired this month after being blown away by the youngster’s development.
Spurs could add to Crystal Palace’s frustration this summer
Crystal Palace are desperate for a forward as they run the risk of losing star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been linked with Tottenham this winter, with the forward keen on a move away, compounding the club’s frustration.
Spurs could add further pressure this summer should they make a move for Adam Wharton, a player who is understood to have returned to their radar.
Oliver Glasner could also depart, and should that happen, Tottenham may emerge as a potential destination given Thomas Frank’s recent scrutiny.
Although interest in Meite remains strong from sides in Europe, including the Premier League, it is Saudi side Al-Hilal who have tabled a £35 million bid.
However, it is claimed that the player is not convinced a move to the Middle East is the right step, given growing interest across Europe.