West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is undergoing a medical with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace ahead of a proposed switch, according to Guardian journalist Ed Aarons.
Aarons, who is deputy news editor for Guardian sport, reported on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon that the Senegal international was undergoing a medical with the Eagles, along with Swansea forward Jordan Ayew.
Cheikhou Kouyaté and Jordan Ayew having medicals ahead of prospective moves to Crystal Palace. Max Meyer deal is done, just waiting for international clearance #cpfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 1, 2018
OPINION
There was expected to be some movement on Kouyate’s switch to Palace today, but the fact that it is now at medical stage suggests that things have moved rather quickly in the past few hours. It was initially reported that the transfer was being held up by Kouyate’s wage demands, but those issues have obviously been resolved as the Senegal international edges closer to leaving the Hammers after four years. It would not have been expected at the beginning of the window that Kouyate would leave the Irons this summer, but new boss Manuel Pellegrini has obviously decided that the 28-year-old is surplus to requirements at the London Stadium after taking a look at his squad during pre-season. If Kouyate does complete his move to Palace then it should mean that Pedro Obiang’s touted return to Sampdoria will in fact not take place. Pellegrini surely cannot afford to lose two of his central midfield options so soon before deadline day.
