Crystal Palace have made contact over move for AC Milan striker Fabio Borini as Roy Hodgson looks to add some bite to his attack.
A new striker was one of Palace's top priorities over the summer and, while Jordan Ayew was added on a permanent basis following his loan the season before, Hodgson was frustrated by the business done during the window.
Borini, whose contract is up in Italy at the end of the season, has over 100 Premier League appearances across stints at Liverpool, Sunderland, Swansea and Chelsea but has started just once for Milan this season and has not played since August.
The Italian, 28, joined Chelsea aged 16 and therefore would qualify as a homegrown player and would likely be brought in on loan until the end of the season, though Palace face competition from at least two Premier League rivals.
Only bottom of the table Watford, who the Eagles face this weekend, have scored fewer League goals than Palace's 14 so far this season.
Hodgson too has his own contract to worry about. The 72-year-old's deal runs out next summer and, asked if he would feel more comfortable agreeing January targets with a longer deal in place, the Eagles boss hinted his heavy involvement in discussions would suggest an agreement is close.
"The fact is if the club want me to have a very serious say in what players are coming into the club, and are going to be here for the next two or three years, then they are going to have to decide if they want me to stay here longer myself," said Hodgson.
"If they don't particularly want me to stay longer myself then you might have to ask the question: 'Why are we involving him so much in players for the next few years?'"
