CRYSTAL Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has lavished praise on Maroaune Chamakh and hopes a new contract can be agreed between the two parties.
The striker is free to talk to other clubs, but the Eagles are hoping to convince the Moroccan to stay in SE25.
Boss Tony Pulis is a fan of Chamakh and deployed him in a position behind a lone striker last season.
Parish also says he did his background research on the 30-year-old too last summer.
"I can't tell you what a great character he is – Marouane is such a lovely, lovely man," he told the Advertiser.
"He genuinely fought for this football club all year and you can see all the hard work and effort he puts in that certain position.
"We character referenced him at Bordeaux where he played for many years, because Steve Browett has good relationships with the owner there.
"They said they'd have Marouane back in a heartbeat last summer.
"He has no big time mentality, he's a really good asset to the squad and has fitted in really well.
"Marouane has enjoyed his football this year and we love him at Palace."
