Crystal Palace are scouting Senegal midfielder Papa Alioune Ndiaye and also have their eye on Everton’s James McCarthy, according to the Daily Mail.
Ndiaye, 26, plays for Osmanlispor and was apparently monitored by Palace during the Turkish side’s Europa League game with Steaua Bucharest last Thursday.
He only joined his current club from Norwegian side FK Bodo Glimt in August of last year for £1.2m but the Mail believes he could be available in January for around £6.8m.
Ndiaye, who has scored six goals this season, is said to have also caught the eye of Everton.
But the Toffees may face a raid from Palace themselves, the Mail claim, with McCarthy said to be on Alan Pardew’s shortlist as he looks for a midfielder.
Meanwhile, there is speculation over Pardew’s future as manager in the wake of Saturday’s extraordinary defeat at Swansea.
The 5-4 loss against their fellow strugglers left Palace above the Premier League relegation zone only on goal difference and has inevitably led to reports Pardew could be on his way out of Selhurst Park.
The Guardian suggest Pardew will need to show he is willing to make radical changes in order to keep his job following six consecutive defeats.
It is also suggested that Palace’s owners will monitor the reaction of the players to Pardew in training this week.
Sam Allardyce is a possible alternative, the newspaper reports.
The Express declare that Pardew faces crisis talks with Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish and will be asked to prove he can turn things around.
Parish has been supportive of Pardew but is reportedly coming under pressure for answers from Palace’s American co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer.
The Daily Mail say Pardew has two matches to save his job – against Hull City and his former club Southampton.
The Sun reports that Pardew will not quit despite being under-fire from frustrated Eagles fans.
The Daily Mirror reports that former England and West Ham boss Allardyce is the fans’ choice to take over.
The Times suggests that another former England manager, Roy Hodgson, could be in the frame if Pardew is axed.