Crystal Palace are lining up a move for Burnley forward Ashley Barnes before the transfer window comes to a close at the end of this month. According to a reliable report in the English media, the Eagles are ready to make an offer for the Premier League striker who has also been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks. The Eagles are also attempting to secure the services of first-choice target Khouma Babacar but have not yet reached an agreement with Fiorentina.
It is believed that Palace manager Roy Hodgson has between £10m and £12m to spend on a forward during this transfer period with the Selhurst club now down to their final two targets of this window. Some sources have recently claimed that Burnley are reluctant to part ways with their prized asset and would like to retain Barnes, who still has 18 months left to run on his current contract with the Lancashire team. Nevertheless, it is understood that Palace could approach the Clarets over a possible deal for the English forward with the transfer deadline day fast approaching.
The 28-year-old secondary striker has featured in 26 matches for the Clarets this season and has found the back of the net 4 times in all competitions. He is highly versatile and can play up top on his own or slightly behind in the number 10 position. The English striker has also operated on the left flank for Burnley this term.
Crystal Palace are currently occupying 13th place in the Premier League standings with a tally of 25 points and just 14 matches left in this campaign. They have been in majestic form in the league since Roy Hodgson’s appointment as the club’s new boss in September last year. The Eagles have made a remarkable turnaround in recent weeks but are still not out of relegation danger with just three points separating them from the relegation zone.
The Selhurst-based outfit could do with some new faces in this January transfer window. The potential addition of Barnes will definitely bolster their attacking options going into the second half of their campaign with matches coming thick and fast in the Premier League.
Barnes’ knack for scoring goals and his versatility will be a key asset for the Eagles if they manage to secure his services before the end of this transfer period. It remains to be seen whether Roy Hodgson is successful in pursuit of the Burnley ace’s signature this month.
