NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT looks at what could happen at Crystal Palace in January.
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| Alan Pardew is set to be rewarded with a new contract at Crystal Palace |
While Leicester are receiving all the plaudits for topping the table at Christmas (and rightly so) spare a thought for the likes of Crystal Palace and Watford.
Both sides sit just outside the Champions League places with the chance of entering a European competition next season very much in Alan Pardew's sights.
The Eagles have made an incredible start to the season that has seen them pick up impressive away wins over Liverpool and Chelsea.
Pardew's side will need to continue to gain points away from home, while ensuring sides aren't leaving Selhurst Park with anything to celebrate about if they want to seriously challenge for a top four finish.
What do they need?
Another left-back. While Pape Souare is fulfilling his role brilliantly at the back, Palace are short of options if he gets injured.
Joel Ward, Palace's main right-back, can cover on the opposite flank but another established left-back would be ideal.
Strikers scoring goals has been a problem so far with Dwight Gayle the leading forward on four league goals.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye leads the league tally on five and even Scott Dann sits one strike behind Gayle on goals with three to his name.
So if the ideal striker comes available in January, Pardew should not dismiss the idea of bolstering his attacking options.
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| Yohan Cabaye is the club's leading goalscorer in the league this season |
How much can they spend?
With the news of a £100million investment by American billionaires Joshua Harris and David Blitzer announced earlier this month, could Palace be joining the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Cristiano Ronaldo?
Nope. Pardew has already insisted that the money will not help boost their January transfer budget.
Instead, cash will be put towards developing Selhurst Park and helping Palace establish themselves in the Premier League at grassroots level.
Who might they sign?
Palace have been linked with several attacking players across Europe including Juventus ace Simone Zaza, Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi, and Angers midfielder Cheikh N'Doye.
Charlie Austin has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs with his future at QPR uncertain and Palace would consider making an approach should he opt to leave Loftus Road.
And regarding Palace The Guardian report he is set to be offered a new deal.
The former Newcastle manager still has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract at Selhurst Park but the club are hoping to tie him down to a longer deal.
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| Patrick Bamford has struggled to hit the ground running with Palace so far |
Who could leave?
Cabaye. Just kidding Palace fans. He's going nowhere.
Pardew will not be keen to get rid of any players from his current matchday squad.
But the boss has mentioned he could send several players out on loan.
Patrick Bamford could also have his loan spell cut short in south London with reports emerging earlier in the season that the Blues were concerned about his lack of game time.
The 22-year-old has struggled to display the form that saw him crowned last season's Championship Player of the Year at Middlesbrough this term.
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