Crystal Palace are still in the race to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this month as the January transfer window approaches its final week.

What's the story?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge revealed that a deal could still be struck between the Gunners and Eagles over the acquisition of Nketiah, saying: “They do like Nketiah. But I think it all boils down to whether they allow [Jean-Philippe] Mateta to go back to Germany."

Mateta, having joined Palace last January on an 18-month loan deal from Bundesliga outfit FC Mainz, hasn't seen many opportunities at Selhurst Park, particularly this season under Patrick Vieira.

The 24-year-old has been limited to just two starts in the Premier League this term but did score in the 3-0 win over Norwich just after Christmas.

However, given the fact that his contract in south London is temporary, the Eagles may opt to allow Mainz to recall the striker and send him back to the German top-flight.

Should that scenario materialise, then Palace would be in need of a striker, with Nketiah still high on the shortlist.

Nketiah could save Palace's season

Crystal Palace have enjoyed a comfortable first half of the campaign under Vieira. The Eagles are 13th after 21 games with 24 points, well clear of the relegation zone with a nine-point advantage over 18th-placed Newcastle United.

However, the south London outfit isn't exactly blessed with a large arsenal of strikers amongst their ranks. Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard appear to be the highest names in the pecking order, with the duo netting four and five goals in the league respectively.

But midfielder Conor Gallagher is still the club's top goalscorer so far this season with seven goals. Palace's other strikers Jordan Ayew and Mateta have both scored once in the league, although the former has often been deployed out wide.

Vieira could certainly do with extra quality in the striker department as an injury to at least one of Benteke or Edouard could prove significantly costly. As a result, the club's continued interest in a player like Nketiah should leave him elated.

After all, Benteke has already been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Burnley this window and is 31-years-old, meaning that the Eagles could do with looking at potential long-term replacements for the Belgian. At 22 years of age, Nketiah could certainly be a possibility.

Granted, the striker hasn't been particularly prolific for Arsenal, scoring just five Premier League goals in 41 top-flight appearances for the Gunners. However, those 41 appearances amounted to just 1,163 minutes, an average of 28.37 minutes every appearance.

Moreover, the Englishman has been more successful in domestic cup competitions, particularly this season, scoring five goals in five EFL Cup appearances as the north London club reached the semi-final.

Some Palace fans may be sceptical at the prospect of signing Nketiah, however, the striker is still very young and is yet to enjoy regular football in the Premier League. Considering Vieira has been keen to bring in young players, this move would tick all of his boxes.