Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the January transfer window and the 24-year-old forward could be a big upgrade on Jean-Philippe Mateta in Patrick Vieira's side.

According to Football League World, Palace, West Ham, Everton and Southampton are all keen on signing the Sweden international after the World Cup break, after a superb start to the 2022/23 campaign.

No player in the second tier has scored more than the former Brighton man this season, as he sits joint-top of the goalscoring charts with nine to his name, so it is easy to see why he is attracting so much Premier League interest.

Manager Mark Robins was full of praise for Gyokeres after he scored the equalising goal for Coventry in their opening-day draw against Sunderland.

He said:

"He’s not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination but he has some unbelievable ability - power, technique. He has got everything in his locker and that desire and hunger to score goals."

Reports in the summer suggested that the Sky Blues would demand around £15m for their star man and they will no doubt be desperate to keep hold of him in January after some brilliant recent performances.

However, it may be difficult for Gyokeres to turn down the opportunity to play in the Premier League and if he does arrive at Palace, he could quickly replace Mateta in Vieira's side.

The Frenchman has been one of the poorest performers at Selhurst Park so far this season, as he has managed just one goal and no assists in 11 Premier League appearances, with Odsonne Edouard very much the number one choice to start up front in Vieira's thinking.

Mateta's 6.20 average rating from WhoScored ranks him as the 15th-best player in the Eagles' squad, with only Nathaniel Clyne ranked lower of the players to start at least one game, which emphasises just how poor the former Mainz man has been.

On his rare Premier League appearances this season, the 25-year-old has averaged one shot, 0.4 key passes and 0.9 aerials per game, compared to Gyokeres' 2.8 shots, 1.2 key passes and 1.9 aerials won per game, which suggests that the Swede has the edge when it comes to both finishing and creating chances.

Therefore, Vieira should definitely look at bringing Gyokeres to Selhurst Park in January, as he looks to bolster his side's attacking options, with a European finish certainly on the cards for the Eagles this season.