With Watford earning promotion to the Premier League, Brighton & Hove Albion desperately needing striker help, and Crystal Palace wanting further attacking depth, Yakou Meite has garnered interest. A deal would be advisable for both Reading and any of the three potential destinations, as well as for Meite himself.
Watford, Crystal Palace and Brighton All Vying for Yakou Meite
Premier League Trio Chase the Prolific Goalscorer
According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, the three mentioned clubs are monitoring the player’s situation at the Madejski Stadium. The Reading forward’s departure would likely require a fee in the region of £5 million.
The 25-year-old has impressed since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. Following a loan to the French second-tier in the 2017/18 campaign, the versatile forward has three consecutive double-digit goal seasons for the Championship side.
The centre-forward, who can play on either wing if necessary, scored 13 goals in all competitions in the 2018/19 season and 17 in the 2019/20 campaign. This season, despite injuries limiting him to just 25 appearances, he found the back of the net 11 times. His average of one goal every 153 minutes this campaign makes him a popular transfer target.
With his contract running until 2023, Reading know if they do not cash in on him this season, a transfer in 2022 would be for a tremendous discount.
No Clear Favorites for Now – All Clubs Feasible Destinations
Watford’s top goal-scorer in their promotion campaign was Ismaila Sarr with 13 goals. No Watford striker found the back of the net double-digit times. Despite Joao Pedro showing huge promise, the Hornets know the risk of not investing in more potential goals could result in immediate relegation.
With Meite consistently finding the back of the net, a move to the Premier League is the correct next step for the already proven goalscorer’s career.
Both Crystal Palace and Brighton, like Watford, relied on too many players for occasional goals, with strikers underperforming for both sides (especially Brighton). They know bringing in a player like Meite could solve the striker question.
While he has only proven himself in the second-tier, his consistency and improvement in the physical Championship signals that he is ready for the switch to the top-flight.
The bottom line is he knows how to find the net consistently and is only continuing to improve. Meite is a player all clubs would be encouraged to sign.
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