Crystal Palace’s summer transfer window deserves a six out of ten, but they could apparently add one more new name as a free agent.

There was enough good business to give Pierre Sage a stronger squad, but too much of it arrived late and several important gaps were only partly filled.

Keeping Adam Wharton was a success after reported interest from Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and other big hitters, while Ismaïla Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta also stayed despite approaches from Liverpool and Aston Villa, giving Sage a solid core to build around.

Palace added attacking variety. Anan Khalaili, Zavier Gozo, Dwight McNeil, Darío Osorio and Evann Guessand all offer something, while Quinten Timber was a smart £15 million midfield addition on deadline day.

The defence received numbers rather than one obvious leader.

Axel Disasi and Honest Ahanor arrived on loan, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Óscar Mingueza and Ben Chilwell joining after Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Muñoz were sold.

Missing out on Malick Fofana and Mamadou Sangaré hurt, but Palace finished the window with a net transfer profit of almost £40 million, so supporters are entitled to wonder whether more could have been done for Sage.

Midfield is not short of names, but it still lacks certainty.

Wharton is the player Palace want dictating possession, with Timber injecting energy and forward running, while Will Hughes and Daichi Kamada bring control and experience.

Jefferson Lerma can also drop into defence, however, and Cheick Doucouré is returning after two seasons badly disrupted by serious injuries. With Europa League football adding to the schedule, another reliable defensive midfielder would be useful.

That explains why Yves Bissouma has now appeared on the Palace radar.

Crystal Palace hold talks with Yves Bissouma's camp with PL move likely

Football Insider reports that Palace are among the clubs to have been approached about signing the 30-year-old.

They also claim Bissouma has spoken with multiple sides about his future, with Palace among them, although no club has made an offer or pushed negotiations towards an agreement.

Bissouma would reportedly prefer to remain in the Premier League despite interest from elsewhere in Europe and Saudi Arabia, and it is 'likely' he'll join an English top flight side in the next few weeks.

The Mali international is available without a transfer fee after his Tottenham contract expired in June.

He had joined Spurs from Palace's rivals Brighton in 2022 but left after four uneven seasons in north London.

Should Palace snap up Bissouma on a free transfer?

At his best, Bissouma can collect the ball in crowded areas, escape pressure and carry possession through midfield. He is also comfortable sitting in front of a back three, which could make him a natural fit for Sage’s system.

There are still questions.

His final year at Tottenham was affected by fitness problems, while concerns over discipline and consistency followed him during his time at the club.

A free transfer would not be free of risk either. Palace would still have to consider his salary, signing fee and the length of any contract for a player who turned 30 in August.

Even so, holding a conversation makes sense. Bissouma knows the league, would not need months to understand English football and offers experienced cover in a specialist midfield role.

If Bissouma can prove his fitness and accept sensible terms, though, Palace may have found a low-cost way to improve a summer window that still feels unfinished.