Palace want two stars in January but face having team

SITTING just five points above the relegation zone after 20 games, Crystal Palace are at a crossroads this month.

A run of just one win from their first 13 Premier League games left boss Oliver Glasner under pressure.

Crystal Palace players celebrating a goal.

Crystal Palace’s season is not going as hoped after an awful start to the campaignCredit: PA

Oliver Glasner, manager of Crystal Palace.

Oliver Glasner will want to strengthen – but he’s at threat of having his team weakenedCredit: AFP

But the Eagles have found their feet again, taking points from Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa and, most recently, Chelsea.

But with Palace 15th and with just four victories all season – a 20 per cent win rate – they face a critical few weeks.

Can they strengthen in the transfer market? Or will they be ransacked of their top stars?

SunSport take a look at just why Crystal Palace are facing a potentially make-or-break month.

Eddie Nketiah was signed in the summer and has been used across the front three but is yet to get going in South London.

Palace are also in the market for a left-back this month as they look to find some cover for Tyrick Mitchell.

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Eddie Nketiah’s 2024-25 Crystal Palace season statistics.

Mitchell remains the first-choice at Selhurst Park but Glasner has no senior cover at left-back.

Slavia Prague’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, 20, has been targeted to add some depth and challenge for a starting spot.

The Eagles have seen a £15million bid knocked back by the Anfield club, who are holding out for up to £30m for the 19-year-old winger.

It is hard to see Palace matching that, unless Marc Guehi ends up leaving for a big fee and the club have a lot more money to play with.

Rayan Cherki, Lyon’s highly rated Frenchman, is also admired and with the Ligue 1 club needing to sell could be an option.

However, there is plenty of interest in Cherki, 21, and it could take some convincing to get him to Selhurst Park.

Ben Doak’s 2024-25 Middlesbrough season statistics.

Rayan Cherki’s 2024-25 Lyon season stats: 12 games, 24 chances created, 342 passes, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 tackles, 7 fouls.

Who is more realistic?

Palace have been tracking Millwall’s teenage winger Romain Esse for some time.

The Lions will not want to lose the 19-year-old this month and there are questions as to whether he could come in and make an instant impact for Palace.

There are also issues to be resolved over a deal with the player’s camp before anything can progress but Palace have a superb record of recruiting from the Championship and are looking to pull off another smart deal.

Romain Esse’s 2024-25 Millwall season statistics.

How are the finances looking?

There are no concerns over meeting the Premier League’s PSR rules at Palace.

However, with the largest shareholder, John Textor, looking to sell his stake in the club there may be some hesitance to spend big this month.

Textor has long been looking for a way out at Palace after his relationship with chairman Steve Parish broke down.

Despite holding the smallest share, Parish has equal voting rights with all other shareholders and effectively has final say on decision making – which has been a frustration for Textor.

A number of parties have explored buying out his share, or investing into his Eagle Football Holdings group.

The American businessman, who also owns Lyon, Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek, is now in exclusive negotiations with a US-Saudi backed group for his 45 per cent share in the club.