With £50million in the bank from the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka most would be forgiven for thinking Crystal Palace would’ve been more active in player recruitment this summer.

For a club wanting to challenge in the top half of the league, Palace have a thin squad by Premiership standards, making their lack of spending more surprising.

With loan signing Michy Batshuayi returning to Chelsea, it leaves just Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham as the only out and out forwards at the club.

Swansea’s Jordan Ayew is expected to sign when he returns from the African Cup of Nations this week but with his poor goal scoring record in the league his arrival is unlikely to generate much optimism amongst fans.

If Palace are unwilling to part with their cash however, not all may be lost with a number of players across Europe available on a free transfer.

Yacine Brahimi

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The Algerian attacker, 29, won’t be without a shortage of takers but while he’s still available Palace have a chance. His contract at Porto is up and after a season where racked up 13 goals and nine assists, Europe’s elite will be circling for his signature.

Arsenal are rumoured to be front runners for his signature, but with ‘cash-on-the-hip,’ Palace could tempt the attacker with a bigger signing on fee.

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Zaha's Wan-Bissaka advice on moving to Manchester United

Mario Balotelli

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After a largely successful three years in France with Nice and then Marseille, the Italian forward’s contract is up.

At 28 he still has time on his side to put down roots and work his way back into the national side.

Could Roy Hodgson be the man to shackle and get the best out of the talented former Inter Milan and Liverpool man?

Daniel Sturridge

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Having seen his Liverpool contract expire this summer, the former Manchester City, Chelsea, and Bolton man has surprisingly seen little action in the rumour mill.

Aston Villa are thought to have registered an interest in the 29-year-old but nothing concrete has been offered.

Sturridge experience, top of the table flight know-how and more importantly, class, could provide Palace with what they need in the final third.

Danny Welbeck

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The former Manchester United forward was linked to Palace in the Jnauary transfer window but nothing materialised.

Picking up a serious ankle injury which cut his season short, the 28-year-old is now without a club following the expiry of his Arsenal contract.

Now fit again, the forward could be a useful addition to any side in the top flight.

Andy Carroll

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The former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham man is a free agent.

After seven injury plagued seven years, yes seven, at the Hammers, the 30-year-old is looking for a new club.

Having set roots in London it’s thought the striker is keen to remain in the capital despite strong rumours Newcastle want him back on their books.

Is a target man what Palace need however?

Hatem Ben Arfa

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Enigmatic Ben Arfa is without a club after leaving Stade Rennais last month.

At 32 he may not possess the speed he showed in glimpses at Newcastle or Hull in the Premier League, but he still has a trick up his sleeve.

Having experienced the giddy heights at Europe’s elite with Marseille, Lyon and PSG, could he offer something at Selhurst Park?

Shinji Okazaki

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The Premier League winner is available on a free after four years at Leicester.

He may not be the showstopping signing fans are after but in a threadbare frontline he could provide cover for what seems an injury-prone Palace front line.

Abel Hernandez

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The 28-year-olds season at CSKA is at an end and the former Hull forward is a free agent.

Having impressed in a poor Tigers side he was courted by a host of Championship sides last season before moving to Russia.

Able to play the role of a lone-striker or in a front two, the Uruguayan could be shrewd bit of business for whoever lands him.

Fernando Llorente

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Very much the target man, you know what you’re going to get from the 34-year-old.

It’s thought Tottenham are looking at giving him another year but with game-time very limited under Mauricio Pochettino, he could be tempted to fight for more minutes at Palace.