Crystal Palace still 'in race' for teenage Man City target as West Ham eye January striker transfer

The January transfer window is now just days away from opening with Crystal Palace and West Ham United hoping the New Year can bring improved fortunes. It’s been a difficult first half of the campaign and both remain in the bottom half, but a few decent mid-season additions could prove decisive for two clubs who should be looking up at those above them, rather than over their shoulder.

Palace and West Ham do still have one more game to play this year but those above Oliver Glasner and Julen Lopetegui will already be well into their January plans, with speculation starting to intensify. The rumour mill is starting to kick into gear and as the New Year closes in, London World has rounded up some of the latest stories from both ends.

Palace defender hope

Crystal Palace reportedly remain in the race for teenage centre-back Juma Bah but securing his signature will not come easy, with Manchester City and Newcastle United also interested. Journalist Alan Nixon names the Premier League trio alongside a number of European giants in keeping tabs on the 18-year-old.

Bah has emerged as one of Africa’s hottest young prospects after impressing at La Liga outfit Real Valladolid this season, who he joined on loan from Sierra Leone side AIK Freetong over summer. The defender was initially signed to represent Valladolid’s B team but after one appearance, earned a swift promotion and has played 10 Spanish top-flight games since.

Palace and Newcastle are said to have had Bah on their radar for some time but they have now been joined by serial Premier League champions Manchester City, who want to sign the teenager and loan him straight back out. Serie A giants AC Milan are also named as a possible destination, as are Barcelona.

West Ham’s striker hunt

West Ham will be expected to strengthen in January with reports suggesting a striker is top of their mid-season shopping list. The Daily Mail claim sales will first need to be sanctioned but manager Julen Lopetegui is in talks with those above him to open up the wallet for a new leading man.

Nicklas Fullkrug and Danny Ings are the only available strikers at West Ham, with Michail Antonio out for the long-term after undergoing surgery following a car accident. But the pair have just two Premier League goals between them and a more prolific No.9 could help propel them up the table.

“The talks I have with David [Sullivan] I am not going to tell you, but we talk a lot about the team, about the squad and about the next challenge — but the only focus we have now is Southampton,” Lopetegui said in his pre-game press conference. “There is no more space in my mind now, only this. The only truth I believe is to be focused on the next match. After, we will see what happens.”