Beating London rivals to land Emiliano Sala could transform Hodgson’s Palace reign

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Crystal Palace are ready for a January battle with London rivals Fulham and West Ham over the signature of Nantes striker Emiliano Sala, according to the Mirror.

The 28-year-old Argentine hitman has bagged eleven goals in Ligue 1 this season, which makes him the third top scorer in the French top flight, only behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappe of unbeaten Paris Saint Germain.

The report claims Sala is valued at around £15m by Nantes and Palace may already be on the back foot in the chase, given that Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri worked alongside the striker last season.

But Roy Hodgson’s need for goals is more desperate; the former England boss has been forced to field wingers Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend as makeshift strikers in recent weeks as he seeks to give his side some added attacking thrust.

Having a genuinely reliable source of goals could genuinely elevate Hodgson’s Palace to a new level; based on the quality of the rest of their squad, they should not be embroiled in another relegation battle.

Hodgson has experience and quality in defence and midfield and there is no reason they could not match what Watford have done so far this season with an added goal threat.

Signing Sala would be January gamble, but if it pays off, it would make Palace genuine top ten contenders.