Crystal Palace are contemplating taking advantage of Watford's relegation from the Premier League by offering to take forward Gerard Deulofeu on loan for the upcoming season.
The 26-year-old managed four goals and five assists in the Premier League last season, finishing towards the top of Watford's stat sheets in both categories, but was unable to prevent the Hornets slipping down to the Championship.
As is the case with many of Watford's players, Deulofeu has been linked with a move away from Vicarage Road this summer, and the Evening Standard note that a loan to Crystal Palace could be an option.
The Eagles are desperately on the lookout for some more offensive firepower this summer, having managed just 31 goals in 38 games last season - a total which was good enough for 19th in the league, only ahead of Norwich.
Palace's situation could get even worse if Wilfried Zaha can seal his long-awaited move away from Selhurst Park, so club officials have begun looking for alternatives.
Deulofeu has played his way on to the radar but is not considered a priority right now, with Queens Park Rangers' Ebere Eze and Brentford's Ollie Watkins both thought to be higher on the wish list. However, with both players valued at north of £20m, cheaper options like Deulofeu must be considered.
Palace are expected to add at least one new forward, having relied heavily on Jordan Ayew last season and the penalties of defensive midfielder Luka Milivojević in years gone by.
While Watkins and Eze have offered more on paper, Deulofeu does come with six years of Premier League experience, having racked up 20 goals and 24 assists in his 127 appearances in the division, and that low-risk signing may appeal to Palace in a summer of uncertainty.
AC Milan have also been linked with the Spaniard, who spent half the 2016/17 season on loan at San Siro, while Valencia have also been touted as potential suitors, and it seems just a matter of time before he seals a move away from Vicarage Road.
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Source: 90min
