Transfer wishlist: Striker is a must if Crystal Palace are to survive

Which areas do they need to strengthen?

With the team seemingly in a relegation dogfight it could be suggested that new manager Alan Pardew needs to strengthen across the board.

However, despite shelling out on Dwight Gayle and Marouane Chamakh, it is up front that the Eagles look most in need of reinforcement, with the Selhurst Park side managing to score just 20 goals in the first half of the season.

Who have they been linked with?

Rickie Lambert, Bafetimbi Gomis, Peter Crouch, Yaya Sanogo, Troy Deeney, Pape Souare, Gregor Balazic

January Wishlist Best Buys

Troy Deeney (Watford)

Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis may look the more attractive option but with Wilfred Bony on the cusp of a big money move to Manchester City the Welsh outfit will not be desperate for cash and will be keen to hold on to Gomis.

Of the other strikers they’ve been linked with Deeney looks the best option, with neither Lambert, nor Crouch inspiring much confidence. The Hornets ace has netted 54 Championship goals over the last two and a half seasons and at 26-years-old looks ready to make the jump to the top flight.

Pape Souare (Lille)

While scoring goals is the main concern, stopping them needs improving too and while £2.4m-rated Souare is a link from the Warnock regime Pardew could do well to follow up on that interest.

Cash strapped Lille would find it hard to turn down a concrete offer for the 24-year-old Senegal international and moving quickly could ensure a bargain ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Yaya Sanogo (Arsenal)

While he has endeared himself to Arsenal fans, Sanogo has struggled to work his way into Arsene Wenger’s first team plans and a loan move could be in the offing.

As yet unproven in the Premier League, Sanogo looks a risk to carry the Eagles survival hopes on his young shoulders, but with one eye on the future he could prove a long-term plan should Pardew ensure survival.

We Recommend…

Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC)

The basis of Defoe’s recent link with Newcastle was his pre-existing relationship with Alan Pardew and with the former West Ham, Leicester and Tottenham forward itching for a return to the Premier League a move to his home city could materialise.

Defoe scored over 120 Premier League goals before moving to MLS but a return of 11 strikes in 16 games for the Canadian outfit shows the 32-year-old is still a menace in front of goal.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets