A former Angers teammate has revealed that Sidiki Chérif had his sights set on a Premier League move during the January transfer window, admitting surprise that the highly-rated forward did not end up joining Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace were heavily involved in talks to sign Chérif throughout the winter market and appeared close to landing the 19-year-old before he ultimately opted for a move to Turkey instead.
Crystal Palace deal agreed but player chose different path
Crystal Palace had tracked Chérif for weeks and were widely reported in France as being serious about securing his signature. On 31 January, RMC Sport claimed the Eagles had reached an agreement with Angers worth €25m plus a percentage of a future sale.
Despite that breakthrough, Chérif chose not to complete a move to Selhurst Park. Instead, he joined Fenerbahçe on loan with a conditional obligation to buy, a decision that surprised several figures close to the player.
Reports in France and Turkey indicated that Chérif favoured the Turkish giants’ proposal at the final stage of negotiations, despite Palace’s concrete offer and Premier League status.
‘He preferred the Premier League’
Speaking to Africa Foot, Angers defender Abdoulaye Bamba, who played alongside Chérif for more than two years, admitted he expected his teammate to end up in England.
“Yes, like everyone else. We knew that several European clubs were interested, notably Eintracht Frankfurt and especially Crystal Palace in England,” — Abdoulaye Bamba
Bamba went on to explain that Chérif had viewed the Premier League as the most suitable environment for his playing style.
“I understood that he preferred the English Premier League, and personally, I thought it was the best destination for him. I saw him more suited to England, considering the characteristics of his game,” — Abdoulaye Bamba
Fenerbahçe move still seen as step up
While surprised by the final outcome, Bamba insisted the transfer saga did not unsettle Chérif and described the move to Fenerbahçe as a positive step in his career.
The defender acknowledged the pressure placed on a young player during high-profile negotiations, particularly with large financial figures involved and multiple clubs competing for his signature.
“He’s only 19. It’s not easy being in the middle of all that. It’s normal that performances can be affected, that you’re careful not to get injured,” — Abdoulaye Bamba
Chérif had also attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt during the window, highlighting how highly he is regarded across Europe despite his young age.
Key Insights
- Crystal Palace agreed a €25m deal with Angers for Sidiki Chérif
- The player ultimately chose Fenerbahçe on loan with obligation to buy
- Teammates believed the Premier League suited him best
- Chérif was also tracked by Eintracht Frankfurt
- The forward is only 19 and under heavy transfer scrutiny
What’s Next
Chérif will now look to settle quickly at Fenerbahçe and convert his loan into a permanent move through on-field performances. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are expected to continue monitoring young attacking talent ahead of the summer window, with their January interest underlining a long-term recruitment strategy rather than a one-off pursuit.
Did Chérif make the right call choosing Fenerbahçe over Crystal Palace, or would the Premier League have been the better platform for his development?
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