Leyton Orient plotting loan swoop for Ajax & Feyenoord-linked Crystal Palace midfielder | OneFootball

The O's are looking to bolster their squad after last season's play-off final defeat

Leyton Orient are looking to bolster their squad with a loan move for Crystal Palace starlet, Hindolo Mustapha.

That is according to a fresh report from Alan Nixon via Patreon, with the O's looking to build on last season's extremely positive campaign which ended in heartbreak, losing out on promotion after suffering defeat to Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Richie Wellens was able to mould a squad which offered an exciting blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley and Charlie Kelman, in particular, catching the eye of onlookers with a string of consistent performances on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, respectively.

And, in an attempt to further improve quality and depth within the midfield department, Richie Wellens, who has recently signed a fresh three-year contract extension with Orient, has his sights set on the youngster, who has certainly been making a name for himself at academy level with last season's FA Cup winners

Leyton Orient plotting loan swoop for Crystal Palace midfielder Hindolo Mustapha

According to Nixon's update, Orient are plotting a move for Mustapha's signature on a temporary basis ahead of the new campaign, with two key factors mentioned further into the report.

Due to the success rate which Wellens has had with loan moves from Premier League clubs during his time in East London, the 45-year-old is hopeful that this gives him the edge in any potential transfer tussle for the youngster.

It was reported in May that Championship outfit, Portsmouth, had identified the Sierra Leone international as a key target prior to the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, as John Mousinho had watched the midfielder's performances first-hand and was said to be keen on a loan switch of his own.

Just days after the aforementioned links, it was then claimed by the highly-reputable transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, that Eredivisie giants, Ajax and Feyenoord, were keen on striking a permanent deal with the Selhurst Park outfit, with Oliver Glasner said to have received three loan proposal's for Mustapha as of the update which came on May 5th.

Orient could face a stumbling block in their own pursuit too, as Nixon's update also states that the 18-year-old has ambitions of breaking into the Eagles' senior team throughout next season, which could tempt him to snub offers from elsewhere. However, they are still waiting to learn their European fate heading into next season over alleged breaches of UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.

Hindolo Mustapha would benefit from regular first-team football at Leyton Orient

Unsurprisingly, Mustapha is hoping play his part in what could be yet another historic season for Glasner's men, especially as adequate strength in-depth will be needed for Palace to remain consistent on multiple fronts.

However, the youngster's overall development would definitely benefit from a season of regular football, something which would be guaranteed at Brisbane Road, particularly if Wellens was to lose the services of the versatile Ethan Galbraith, who has been the subject of a reported £2.5m bid from third tier rivals, Huddersfield Town.

This particular loan swoop would also excite supporters, as Mustapha was part of an eight-man shortlist for the Premier League 2's Player of the Season award, although he would eventually lose out to Jahmai Simpson-Pusey of Manchester City.

The young playmaker netted seven goals and registered a further four assists in PL2 last season, and would hope to translate such form into the senior game, having brief experience of featuring in the EFL Trophy against Gillingham - scoring in a 3-1 success at Priestfield - and eventual back-to-back winners of the competition, Peterborough United.