Crystal Palace Eye Up January Move For Real Madrid Striker

Crystal Palace are lining up a shock move for Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral, according to reports.

Mayoral, 24, is currently on loan at Roma after joining the Italian side on a two-year deal from Madrid in 2020.

The forward impressed last season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, but has found first-team opportunities harder to come by this term with Tammy Abraham largely preferred up front by new head coach Jose Mourinho.

Mayoral has been limited to just 10 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring once, and Roma are no longer expected to trigger an option to buy the striker at the end of his loan period.

Reports in Italy have linked Mayoral with a move to Fiorentina, who are currently seventh in Serie A - level on points with sixth-place Roma.

According to the report, the Premier League club would need to pay around €15m (£12.7m) to sign Mayoral.

Madrid academy graduate Mayoral first broke into the senior side at the Bernabeu in 2015 but has made just 33 appearances for the club since then, scoring seven times.

He spent time out on loan at Wolfsburg and Levante before moving to Roma on loan in October of last year.

Earlier this month Mayoral was singled out for praise by Mourinho following a 3-2 win over CSKA Sofia in the Europa Conference League.

“He was one of the few positives,” said Mourinho.

“His goal was beautiful, but I also liked the work he put in. I am not surprised, because he always works hard.”