Could this Liverpool forward be one of Crystal Palace’s alternatives to Batshuayi?

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Josip Ilicic

Alan Pardew may be turning his attention outside of proven premier league players and looking to Italy for a solution. Fiorentina man Josip Ilicic is currently being hunted by Crystal Palace, AC Milan, Watford, and West Brom. There is currently no word on a price tag.

Ilicic is primarily an attacking midfielder but also plays as a secondary striker on occasion. The 28-year-old is a dynamic player and had 13 goals and six assists last season.

Ilicic is a very different option to Van Persie and Benteke. He is more versatile and can play in various positions. A more creative player, Ilicic could serve Pardew in a different system or different role within the same system.

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For one instance, Ilicic could be utilised as a false nine. Such a system would be unlikely though, as Palace are not a possession-based team where the system would flourish, and also do not have the quality to execute such a technical style of play against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City.

Alternatively, the Fiorentina player could play as a second striker, feeding service to a target man such as Conor Wickham or possible signings Benteke and Van Persie.

Pardew could choose to keep the current 4-2-3-1 and play Ilicic behind the lone striker ahead of Jason Puncheon, and shift Cabaye and McArthur into the holding role.

This could be a very interesting signing and could fix Palace’s goal-scoring issues similar to the way Dimitri Payet has done the same at West Ham United.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by LFC Season 2015-2016.