Crystal Palace linked with Everton striker as Townsend’s move to Newcastle thrown into doubt

Crystal Palace are hoping to take Everton striker Arouna Kone on loan, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 33-year-old has only made three brief substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, but did score twice in a League Cup win over Yeovil in August.

The Ivorian – previously with Wigan, Levante, Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven – is free to leave Everton after falling out of favour under boss Ronald Koeman.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sky Sports News suggested Kone had offers from the Championship and overseas but that he wanted to stay in the Premier League.

And the Mirror claim Palace are now favourites to sign him until the end of the season.

Andros Townsend may be staying at Selhurst Park after he was named in the Palace squad for their match at Bournemouth.

The England winger earlier looked close to a return to Newcastle, with the two clubs on the verge of agreeing a loan deal that could be made permanent in the summer.

However, his appearance on the substitutes’ bench at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium has cast doubt over that move.