AFC Bournemouth have targeted Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle as a potential transfer in January, and are expected to make a bid of around £6 million, according to a report in The Mirror.

The Cherries are in dire need of a high-quality striker if they are to survive relegation as their leading goalscorer, Callum Wilson, is out with a cruciate knee injury, and will not be back until around March.

The promise of first team football at Bournemouth could prove an appealing proposition for the 26-year-old, as he has only been handed six league appearances this season and is thought to be frustrated by the lack of first team action, despite being currently out with a hamstring strain.

A move for Gayle has been speculated for a while, as he nearly signed with one of the newly promoted Championship sides, Bristol City, after a season where he scored 10 goals in 29 games for Crystal Palace.

Bournemouth are desperate to find more goals as boss Eddie Howe is eager to re-ignite their attack. A move to the south coast to play alongside former teammate Glenn Murray could be the move that helps Gayle become a consistent starter, and could be the transfer that keeps Bournemouth in the Premier League.