Crystal Palace: Cheikhou Kouyate will leave despite wanting to stay

Cheikhou Kouyate is leaving Crystal Palace on Friday after failing to agree on a contract extension.

Kouyate, 32, was open to staying at Selhurst Park but wanted a two-year contract.

The defensive midfielder has been a fixture in the Premier League since joining West Ham in 2014, before moving to Palace in 2018, where he quickly established himself as a key member of the squad.

Cheikhou Kouyate leaves Crystal Palace on Friday after failing to agree a new contract

Kouyate went on to make 141 appearances for the Eagles, including 31 under Patrick Vieira last season.

Despite being a fixture for Vieira’s side, Kouyate will walk away from Selhurst Park on a free transfer as his contract expires.

Talks between the player and the club about a new deal are ongoing but have not found a positive solution.

The 32-year-old was open to staying at Selhurst Park but was unable to reach an agreement

Given his age, the Eagles were only willing to offer the Senegal international a 12-month extension.

The former West Ham midfielder will now go on a free transfer on July 1 when his contract expires.

By completing a transfer for Lens, midfielder Cheick Doucoure Palace has a younger, ready-made replacement.

Palace has a younger, ready-made replacement in Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder made 34 appearances last season, scoring one goal and four assists as he formed a superb midfield partnership with the much sought-after Seko Fofana.

Doucoure was a key player in helping Lens to seventh place in the club’s second season back in the top flight when they narrowly missed European qualification.

The Malian international has eight caps for his country and has played his entire career with Lens, with a total of 131 appearances.