Port Vale are edging closer to landing one of their latest January transfer targets following a recent development on Thursday afternoon.
Darren Moore’s side have slipped down the League Two standings in recent weeks despite a strong start to the campaign and recently ended an eight-match winless run with a 2-1 away victory against Doncaster Rovers.
The victory allowed Port Vale to climb back up to fourth in League Two ahead of Saturday’s clash against Barrow.
As reported by journalist Edmund Brack, Port Vale are closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace youngster Jemiah Umolu on loan for the remainder of the season.
Deal gets closer
Umolu is a Crystal Palace U21s regular but has never left the Eagles on loan, with his proposed move to Vale getting closer.
This is because Brack has confirmed that the youngster has arrived at Port Vale to train with the side ahead of a loan deal to the football club.
Training with a side before a loan deal isn’t a surprise step for young players to participate in and likely suggests a deal is continuing to close.
How has he fared this season?
Despite his lack of first-team experience, the 19-year-old has heavily featured for Crystal Palace’s U21s in the Premier League 2, making a total of eight appearances this season.
Within this time, Umolu has scored nine goals including a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur’s U21s in November.
Port Vale have registered just 29 goals so far this season, proving that they have been very effective with their goals to remain in a promotion race despite scoring less than their rivals.
The arrival from Umolu could increase Port Vale’s attacking output moving into the second half of the campaign and that in-turn could prove vital between a top three push and a top seven one.