Crystal Palace in ‘race’ for promising attacker amid claim 167-goal free agent was eyed

Crystal Palace beat Wolves 3-2 last time out to head into the international break with a win. They are currently sat in 7th place in the Premier League table after picking up seven points from their opening four league outings.

Roy Hodgson’s side are back in action this weekend with an away trip to Aston Villa. In the meantime, here is a look at some of the latest transfer news and rumours coming out of the club...

Young striker eyed

Crystal Palace are in the ‘race’ to sign Colchester United striker Bradley Ihionvien, as per a report by Football Insider. Fellow top flight club Burnley have also been credited with an interest, as have Championship trio Watford, Leicester City and Norwich City.

Ihionvien, who is 19-years-old, had a loan spell at Maldon & Tiptree in non-league last season to get some experience under his belt. He has made six appearances for the U’s since returning and has found the net twice with it looking like they will face a real battle to keep hold of him in the future amid interest from higher up the football pyramid.

Winger was on radar

Crystal Palace reportedly looked into an ambitious deal to lure former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard back to London this past summer. The 32-year-old is currently a free agent following his exit from Real Madrid at the end of last term. He has 167 career goals at club level.

Journalist Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport: “It would not surprise me if Hazard does now retire from football. There have been some strong offers for him, even the Crystal Palace one for him to play again in the Premier League was a legit one, but the motivation for him to make a comeback does not seem to be there.

“It’s been a long time since he was playing, he would have to work extremely hard to get back to top condition – meaning actually playing top level games could take a while.

“He’s a free agent so clubs that have shown interest have not closed the door, but this is a player that is very self assured, is not affected by outside noise or behaviours, and will make the decision completely on his own terms.”