Crystal Palace make brutal call over Portsmouth summer target after disastrous loan stay
Hindolo Mustapha was a target for Pompey during the summer transfer window as the Blues looked to strengthen ahead of their second successive Championship campaign.
It’s been a maiden loan spell to forget for former Pompey target Hindolo Mustapha as he continues to make the step up to senior football.
The 19-year-old was on the Blues’ radar during the summer window, which even saw John Mousinho attend some of Crystal Palace’s youth fixtures at the end of last term.
Although there was admiration for the forward at Fratton Park, a move never came to fruition, with the talented attacker instead sealing a switch to German second-division outfit FC Nurnberg.
His first venture into first-team football is one that he’ll quickly want to forget, though, having made just two outings for Miroslav Klose’s side.
But, just four months into his season-long loan stay at the Max-Morlock Stadium, the Sierra Leone youth international’s time in Germany has come to an abrupt end.
Crystal Palace have already confirmed the attacking midfielder will return to Selhurst Park in January - more two weeks before start of the January transfer window.
Crystal Palace make call on future of ex-Pompey target
A short statement on the Eagles’ official website read: ‘Crystal Palace can confirm that Hindolo Mustapha has returned to the club.
‘The 19-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at 1. FC Nürnberg, where he made two appearances in the Regionalliga Bayern.
‘Mustapha signed a new contract with the club last summer after an impressive 2024/25 campaign, during which he was named Palace Under-21s’ Player of the Season.
‘Hindolo’s loan spell will officially conclude on 1st January 2026.’
Mustapha registered just two outings during his short stint in Germany after falling out of favour with Klose.
The Selhurst Park academy graduate has been left out of Nurnberg's previous eight 2. Bundesliga matches, with the head coach questioning his discipline.
He told German news outlet Bild: ‘He (Mustapha) has something I like. That’s why I’ll support him, always up to a certain point. But we brought him in because he has to perform here.
‘We need time to settle in, but it won’t work without him. He has to know where our limits are, where everything that starts with discipline comes in.’
Pompey’s summer interest in Crystal Palace youngster
Mustapha was one of the first names tipped with a switch to Fratton Park in the summer, with Mousinho spotted in attendance at a number of the Eagles’ Premier League 2 fixtures.
It followed after the attacking midfielder was named Crystal Palace’s U21’s Player of the Season last term after an outstanding campaign in south London.
The young talent netted 11 goals and registered seven assists in 23 outings for Palace’s academy outfit as well as two appearances in the EFL Trophy.
Mustapha was awarded a new contract at Selhurst Park in August and headed straight out on a season-long loan to Nurnberg. The one-cap Sierra Leone youth international will now return to Palace prematurely in January.