Crystal Palace are reportedly 'lining up' a move for wantaway AS Roma striker Borja Mayoral ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

What's the story?

According to The Sun's Alan Nixon, the Eagles are planning a swoop for the 24-year-old over the coming months after his game time has been severely limited in the Italian capital.

He tweeted: "Crystal Palace lining up transfer swoop for Roma striker Borja Mayoral given lack of playing time under Jose Mourinho".

Patrick Vieira will surely be buzzing

News that the capital club's hierarchy are making plans to strengthen their forward line even further will surely leave new manager Patrick Vieira buzzing with excitement.

Loanee Jean-Philippe Mateta has been linked with an early return to parent club Mainz, while the in-form Christian Benteke is set to turn 31 in a matter of days, meaning Vieira needs to plan for the future.

And Mayoral could be the ideal candidate for the French tactician to do just that.

After rising through the ranks at boyhood club Real Madrid, the £12.6m-rated gem was awarded game time in the senior setup by former manager Zidane Zidane, who lauded his performance after he bagged a brace in a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad a few years ago, dubbing him "complete."

However, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema ahead of him in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, Mayoral embarked on a series of loan spells before joining Roma on a two-year loan move in 2020.

The 6-foot beast impressed throughout his maiden campaign in Italian football, bagging 17 goals and providing seven assists in 47 appearances for the Giallorossi.

But Mourinho's arrival has seen Mayoral consigned to the bench for large spells of the current campaign. He's been awarded just 114 minutes of action across all competitions this term, indicating his time in Rome is drawing to a premature end.

A permanent move to Palace could be the ideal scenario for all parties then, and Vieira would surely be grateful for the added firepower at his disposal.

And, in other news...82% duels lost: Palace lightweight who lost possession 23 times badly let Vieira down