Left-Back Urgently Needed
To that end, it may be that Palace are in a position where they can think about selling one or two fringe players, to free up wages and make room for a more significant acquisition.
However, there is one area of the squad that requires immediate attention – left-back. Tyrick Mitchell, 22, has played nearly every minute of every game and should he suffer from a loss of form or fitness, Vieira has no natural alternative.
A new face to provide competition and cover for the Englishman is imperative, both in terms of adequate depth and Mitchell’s own development.
Reliable Goalscorer
Beyond that, Palace do have another issue that could be resolved by dipping into the transfer market — albeit not one that stems from a lack of options.
The Eagles lack a prolific, reliable goalscorer, with on-loan Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher the club’s top scorer in all competitions with just six goals.
Fellow summer signing Odsonne Edouard and Zaha have just five apiece, and it is clear that signing a quality finisher would elevate Palace as a unit.
The London club have been linked with a number of strikers, including Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah.
Nketiah, 22, is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the season and the situation could force Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to consider letting the centre-forward leave now, rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.
The poacher has netted five times in just three EFL Cup appearances, but has only been afforded three short cameos off the bench in the Premier League and is thought to want a move elsewhere in search of regular game time.
Palace were reportedly interested in signing Nketiah in the summer transfer window, but saw a £12million bid turned down by Arsenal.
However, the Eagles’ interest has not waned and the England Under-21 international’s contract situation provides an opportunity for a cut-price move this month.
Arteta Hoping Nketiah Will Stay
Arteta has previously stated his desire to keep the striker at the Emirates Stadium, however, despite failing to convince him to pen a contract extension so far.
After the Gunners’ 5-1 win over Sunderland in December, in which Nketiah scored a hat-trick, Arteta said:
"I tell you every day that we want to keep Eddie. We are trying (to persuade him to stay).
"It’s not about anything else but minutes. He wants game time, he wants to be on that field and that is the only reason to say ‘can I do it here?’
"That’s the question. We all want him to stay."
Jordan Ayew’s deal also runs out at the end of the campaign, while Christian Benteke’s terms expire in the summer of 2023 and it may be that both strikers – at 30 and 31 respectively – are candidates to be moved on, in order to make space for a new acquisition.
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