Crystal Palace’s sale of Yannick Bolasie might just be the best bit of business yet this summer.
Their Congolese winger is the ultimate entertainer, but his inconsistent end product makes his sale seem all the more sensible. The reinvestment of his hefty £25million fee will be important for Alan Pardew’s season, and it will likely be splashed on a centre-forward rather than a direct wide replacement for Bolasie.
Pardew has seen his forwards struggle to find the net throughout his time at the club and the loss of Bolasie takes a dimension away from their side. Wilfried Zaha will now carry the burden of being the most inconsistent, yet exciting, winger at the club.
Demand is far out-competing supply in the centre forward market this summer. Clubs are desperate for that forward who can fire them in to the European spots or push them away from the relegation battle.
Should one of these FIVE become the new Palace star?
Mame Diouf
As Stoke City continue to search for strikers like a dodgy ITV detective looks from blindingly obvious clues, Diouf is seeing more and more doubt cast upon his future with the Potters.
Despite impressing during brief spells with Hughes’ side, Diouf has become a utility forward in many ways. Used on the wing at least as often as he is trusted in the number nine role, the former Manchester United striker is clearly under appreciated at the Bet 365 Stadium.
Diouf isn’t the big name that many Palace fans will hope for, but he could well be a shrewd addition.
Wilfried Bony
Bony’s stock has fallen dramatically during his ill-fated spell with Manchester City. The Ivorian was one of the Premier League’s best strikers whilst at Swansea and has, unfortunately, disappeared into the background in a star-studded Manchester City squad.
Able to link play, challenge the defence in behind and score goals from a range of different situations, Bony is the perfect striker for a fast-transitioning side like Pardew’s Palace.
The price will be hefty, sure, but what a signing he would be.
Britt Assombalonga
Although injury meant Assombalonga missed almost the entirety of the 2015/16 Championship season, the forward should still be considered by Pardew.
Far more of a wildcard option than the majority of the others on this list, the Nottingham Forest star is still only 23 and has proven himself as a reliable finisher. He possesses the pace and power to cause real trouble for Premier League defences, which would help him fit in to the Palace attack.
Saido Berahino
Berahino’s brief trouble at West Brom seems to have disappeared relatively now, but it still looks as though the 23-year-old is going to be on the move from the Baggies sooner or later.
After his 14 goal breakthrough Premier League season in 2014/15, Berahino spent much of last season playing in a wider role. He is not the same physical presence to many that Pardew will be considering, but his ability to find the back of the net is unquestionable.
Carlos Bacca
With AC Milan continuing to suffer a turbulent period, Carlos Bacca’s future has been under question for much of this summer. The Colombian has proven himself as one of the more rounded strikers in the top European leagues and netted 37% of Milan’s Serie A goals last season.
With the pace to stretch defences, the leap to challenge aerially and the experience to lead the line with ease, Bacca would be a real coup for Palace.