League One high fliers Bradford City trail Portsmouth target with Premier League club’s starlet set for January move
The Crystal Palace starlet has made his mark emerging at Selhurst Park and been linked with the likes of Ajax And Feyenoord in the past. Now he’s set for a stint in England, after a stay in Germany with FC Nurnberg was cut short.
He’s the target who’s been watched extensively by Pompey boss John Mousinho.
And after an aborted overseas loan stay across the first half of the campaign, the exciting attacking starlet is set to be on the move again in the January window.
Crystal Palace man admired by John Mousinho on move in January
With Pompey in the market for forward-thinking reinforcements, they’ll no doubt be monitoring the pathway now for Crystal Palace’s Hindolo Mustapha.
The 19-year-old’s stay in the German second division with FC Nurnberg was cut short last December, after a lack of first-team action when failing to settle abroad when joining Miroslav Klose’s side.
Reports suggest an English club will now be the preference for Palace, when it comes to where Mustapha will operate over the second half of the campaign.
And League One high-fliers Bradford City are reportedly among those to now register their interest in the Sierra Leone international, as they look to reach the Championship this term.
Dutch giants Ajax and Feyenoord are other sides who’ve been mentioned with Mustapha’s name in the past, along with League Two promotion chasers Walsall.
Mousinho is known to have been impressed with the the versatile operator’s talent, with Mustapha delivering some outstanding displays in games the Pompey boss has been present for at under-21 level.
The need for some greater consistency in the Londoner’s game was apparent, but the Pompey boss certainly would’ve backed himself to get that from a player with a high ceiling in terms of ability.
Mustapha has picked up three international caps and helped Sierra Leone which the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but was overlooked for a squad place amid a lack of first-team action in Germany.
Mustapha has a goal and assist from his international career to date though, making appearances against Chad, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast to date.
Hindolo Mustapha capable of operating where Pompey need to recruit
It’s at his club side where he’s really come to Pompey’s attention in the past, however, as he was named the club’s under-21 player of the season. Mustapha produced 11 goals and seven assists from 23 outings, leading to him signing a new long-term deal at Selhurst Park last summer.
Pompey are looking to be busy this month, with as many as six new faces set to arrive according to Mousinho.
The central midfield and wide areas where Mustapha is capable of operating are among the areas where Pompey are looking to recruit.