Nice leading chase to sign Crystal Palace's Zion Atta, allied to Raiola

  /  autty

French side Nice are front runners to land Crystal Palace starlet Zion Atta.

Sportsmail reported in January how super agent Mino Raiola had added exciting forward Atta to his stable as interest in the teenager mounted.

Roma and Ajax had made offers to the 16 year-old and Nice, PSV and Juventus have since joined them in tabling contract proposals.

But it's Ligue 1 outfit Nice who are understood to be in pole position to secure the England youth international, who is also eligible for Italy and Ivory Coast.

Palace have offered Atta a new scholarship and professional deal and would be entitled to compensation if he is tempted away.

They signed Atta from Millwall aged 13 for a guaranteed £60,000.

Palace are also interested in Nice's former Manchester United forward Deji Sotona and their interest in each other's player could be used to negotiate a deal for Atta.

New Eagles manager Patrick Vieira managed Nice for two years from 2018-2020 and knows the club well.

However, Palace will hope their state-of-the-art new academy complex, which has persuaded sought-after youngsters like Jadan Raymond to sign professional deals at SE25, could entice Atta to stay.

Related: Crystal Palace Nice
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