Crystal Palace are hopeful of securing Khouma Babacar from Fiorentina as Roy Hodgson seeks to add a striker to the ranks, with the Senegalese likely to be one of up to four recruits who should ease the club’s injury crisis.

Hodgson has made no secret of the fact the squad he inherited in September was imbalanced, with Palace boasting only Christian Benteke as a recognised striker and only two senior goalkeepers. The pursuit of Getafe’s No 1 Vicente Guaita has been complicated by the Spanish club’s refusal to sell despite the player saying he made an agreement with the president which permitted him to discuss a move to suitors offering more than €4m. Palace are understood to have bid accordingly and hope to secure the former Valencia player, despite the possibility of a legal dispute.

Palace, who remain in talks with Lille over their 24-year-old centre-half Ibrahim Amadou, have made Babacar their priority up front in preference to Oumar Niasse and Diafra Sakho. Discussions began last week over a potential £15m move for a player who has been at Fiorentina since he was 15 and whose progress has long been noted at Selhurst Park.

Babacar, who has also attracted interest from West Ham and West Bromwich Albion, has scored four goals in Serie A this season, though all 15 of his appearances have been off the bench with the head coach, Stefano Pioli, preferring Giovanni Simeone ahead of the 24-year-old. Babacar has only three Senegal caps but would hope a move, and regular involvement in the Premier League, would help him gain selection for the summer’s World Cup.

Amadou, who was schooled at Nantes but has made his name with Lille, was the subject of interest from Palace over the summer, with that situation since revisited. Hodgson had initially been content with his defensive options but has lost Scott Dann – who underwent surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury last Thursday – for the long term and is still without Mamadou Sakho, who has a calf complaint.

Palace may seek to take the player initially on loan before a permanent transfer in the summer, though Lille will need convincing that represents an acceptable deal.