With only one recognisable striker in their squad, Roy Hodgson wants to sign Khouma Babacar from Fiorentina to offer back-up to Christian Benteke according to reports in 'The Guardian'.
Having inherited an "imbalanced" squad when he took over in September, the former England manager wishes to bring the Senegalese to Selhurst Park for a fee believed to be in the region of £15m.
The 24-year-old has allegedly been made the club's priority transfer signing up front, over previous targets Oumar Niasse and Diafra Sakho.
Babacar has only scored four goals in Serie A this season, but all of his 15 appearances have been off the bench as Fiorentina's head coach, Stefano Pioli, has preferred team-mate Giovanni Simeone ahead of the young striker.
He has been with the Italian side since the age of 15 and with hopes to feature more for his national team, a move away from the continent could suit both parties.
The London club are in desperate need of a prolific forward, with winger Wilfried Zaha their current top scorer with four goals, as the team look to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Currently the 'Eagles' sit in twelfth in the Premier League, but are only five points ahead of Stoke City in eighteenth.