Crystal Palace are hoping to sign a new striker in January.

Khouma Babacar is the subject of a £8.7 million bid from Crystal Palace, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.

The 22-year-old Fiorentina forward has moved into Alan Pardew’s sights after failing to sign Simone Zaza from Juventus, with the report confirming that Juventus rejected a £19 million bid from the Eagles for the striker.

Refusing to raise their bid for Zaza, Pardew has looked elsewhere, and has settled on Babacar.

A striker, also able to play on the wing, Senegalese youth international Babacar is renowned for his strength and power, and whilst his technical skills are not exceptional, his return of 19 goals in 69 games for la Viola is respectable.

He looks to be a player who fits into Palace’s system, and it is claimed that they have readied and submitted a bid of roughly £8.7 million (€12m) to Fiorentina for the transfer of Babacar’s services.

There is no indication yet that Fiorentina have either accepted or rejected the offer, but Palace are sure to keep trying to bring him to Selhurst Park as the transfer window progresses.

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