Pape Gueye: Crystal Palace linked with Villarreal’s Senegal‑France midfielder in €40m rumour

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Villarreal’s Senegal and France central midfielder Pape Gueye, 27, who currently plays in La Liga for the Spanish club.

The Premier League side are reported to be monitoring Gueye’s situation at Villarreal, with the player’s contract status unclear and the possibility he could become a free agent if no new deal is agreed. Transfermarkt lists the left-footed midfielder with a market value of €40.00m, underlining the scale of any potential move to Selhurst Park.

The rumour, logged on 1 July 2026 with the probability of a deal still marked as “?”, suggests Palace are exploring whether a deal could be structured around his contractual position rather than his full market valuation.

Born in Montreuil on 24 January 1999, the 1.89m midfielder holds both Senegalese and French nationality and operates primarily as a central midfielder. He wears the number 18 shirt at Villarreal, having previously built his reputation in European football before moving to Spain’s top flight.

Gueye’s recent outings for Villarreal in La Liga have highlighted his blend of physical presence and technical ability in the centre of the pitch, though detailed figures on his latest appearances and goal contributions are not specified in the data provided. His performances this past season, including his most recent league appearances for Villarreal in 2026, have been closely watched by recruitment departments across Europe.

With no contract expiry date publicly listed and no agreement yet reported, Gueye’s future remains open as clubs position themselves in the summer market. Should Crystal Palace firm up their interest, a move to the Premier League could prove a defining step for a midfielder entering his peak years, potentially reshaping both his reputation at elite level and the balance of Palace’s midfield.