Crystal Palace could hold an advantage in any potential January deal for Middlesbrough star Chuba Akpom, so chairman Steve Parish should do all he can to bring him to Selhurst Park this month.

What's the word?

Akpom has recently been linked with the Eagles, as well as Everton and Southampton, after hitting 13 goals during the first half of the Championship for Michael Carrick's promotion hopefuls.

The 27-year-old's contract at the Riverside is set to expire at the end of the season which could cause Boro to cash in, with the frontman no doubt targeting another shot at Premier League football having failed to make the grade with Arsenal as a youngster.

In a recent interview with Football FanCast, journalist Pete O'Rourke shared his opinions on a potential Palace move for Akpom, suggesting that manager Patrick Vieira could also be a big selling point.

He said:

"I think anyone with past Arsenal connections would want to work with an Arsenal legend like Patrick Vieira. I'm sure that will be something that is interesting to Chuba Akpom. Also, the chance to move back to London, I'm sure will be attractive to him as well."

Parish must act

While Akpom never really cut it at Arsenal, managing no goals in 12 appearances for the senior side, he was described as “dangerous” by legendary manager Arsene Wenger.

He has certainly lived up to that praise this season, leading the goalscoring charts in the second tier after some sensational recent form which has fired Middlesbrough into promotion contention, with the northeast outfit currently sitting fifth in the second tier.

Palace's form since the World Cup ended has certainly been worrying, as they have suffered two heavy defeats at home to Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, which may have Vieira concerned that the Eagles could still find themselves in a relegation battle this season.

A lack of goals in attack has also been a problem for the Frenchman, as none of Odsonne Edouard, Jordan Ayew and Jean Phillipe-Mateta have shown themselves to be consistent goalscorers at this level, as they have managed just five league goals between them this season.

Akpom would presumably be a low-cost, low-risk signing for Parish to make and given his excellent performances in the second tier this season, he should definitely be given another chance in the Premier League with the Eagles.