Atlético and Crystal Palace in race to sign €35m Angers defender | OneFootball

At just 18 years old, Angers left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri is causing a stir around Europe with his scintillating displays that have already earned him time with the France U-21s.

During the January window, it was widely reported that Angers received a €30m offer from an unnamed ‘top’ Premier League club but ultimately turned it down.

That decision looks to have been a profitable one as the club look to sell the player for an absolute minimum of €35m and, according to French outlet LeFoot, both Atlético Madrid and Crystal Palace are believed to be preparing summer bids for the teenager.

For Crystal Palace, the fee would be a club record and very much opposed to their regular business dealings, as Roy Hodgson’s side have spent less than €20m on transfers and loan fees over the last two seasons combined.

However, it is possible that with just one year left on his current deal, Palace may attempt to cash in on current left-back Patrick Van Aanholt and immediately bring in Aït-Nouri as his like-for-like replacement.

Meanwhile, the teenager would be well within the price range of Diego Simeone’s side, who are believed to be in pursuit of another left-back as Renan Lodi, who just arrived in a €20m deal last summer, is their only recognised player at the position.

Aït-Nouri has put in a number of eye-catching performances in his 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season but has been out of action since January with a fractured jaw.