We've made it to the final day of the January transfer window and there are still several unanswered questions for Patrick Vieria as the 11pm deadline nears.
Crystal Palace are yet to make any signings so far despite being linked with several players across the month, with Vieira hoping to boost his squad with some new additions before the end of the window.
The Eagles have struggled for consistency in recent months due to their squad being disrupted by injury, Covid and players heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving them to commit to a transfer policy U-turn having not initially considered dipping their toes in the market.
There was strong interest at one point in bringing Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek to Selhurst Park on loan, though the Netherlands international instead opted for a move to Everton. There have also been continued reported attempts to sign Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah though those have so far been rebuffed.
Below, football.london goes through some of the most important questions Vieira has to solve as the deadline draws ever closer.
Dele Alli question
Palace had their name thrown in the ring as a potential suitor for Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli on Monday morning, with the midfielder's time at Spurs seemingly coming to an end.
The 25-year-old has only started eight league games this season and was made available this month by the club, with Palace said to be interested in a loan move for him.
However, Everton are also hoping to sign Dele, with the Athletic reporting that they were closing in on a permanent deal for him on deadline day.
If Vieira does want to add Alli to the Palace ranks he will have to act fast, though this deal could already be out of their hands.
Rak-Sakyi decision
Undoubtedly Crystal Palace's most treasured academy prospect right now, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has watched as several of his under-23s teammates have gone out on loan this month.
Despite that, the winger has so far stayed put, with Palace understandably cautious about what to do with their 19-year-old prodigy.
Cardiff City, Accrington Stanley, MK Dons and Oxford United were all touted as potential destinations for Rak-Sakyi, who made his senior Eagles debut on the opening day of the Premier League season against Chelsea.
Scottish champions Rangers have also been named as having an interest in the teenager, though Vieira is now thought to want to keep Rak-Sakyi around rather than send him out.
If that happens, it would be good to see him get some more game time with the first team during the second half of the season.
Mateta deal
Jean-Philippe Mateta has enjoyed a renaissance in a Crystal Palace shirt of late, endearing himself to fans with goals against Norwich and Millwall while talk of his future goes on around him.
The Frenchman is a year into his 18-month loan deal from Mainz and is tipped to be considering turning that into a permanent stay at Selhurst Park.
It'd be a good move for Palace to get at least this bit of business secured, with a rumoured price tag of around £8million good value in today's market for a striker.
At 24, Mateta is also seven years Christian Benteke's junior which makes him a sensible successor to the Belgian as Palace's go-to target man, and he seems to work well under Vieira.
Nketiah bid
Palace's interest in Nketiah is long-standing but that hadn't made it any easier for them to secure his signature this month.
The Eagles have reportedly had two approaches for the striker turned down by the Gunners this month, with the latest coming in the last few days, as reported by Sky Sports.
Nketiah is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer and is subject to interest both domestically and from abroad, though Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his player would not be leaving the club this month.
Vieira could return for a third and final time with the clock ticking away, though it would likely be a substantial amount of money and might not represent good value if the club were considering going back in for him over the summer.
