One of the surprise rumours of the transfer window so far has seen Crystal Palace linked with an audacious move for Napoli winger Hirving Lozano.

What's the word?

According to reports in Italy, the Eagles - along with fellow Premier League side West Ham United - are said to have held talks with the Serie A club regarding a deal for the Mexico international, with the Azzurri set to demand a fee in the region of €30m (£25m) to let the 26-year-old depart.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has now shared his thoughts on that potential move for the 56-cap speedster, telling Football FanCast that it would be a real statement acquisition for Palace.

He said: "Yeah would be a huge signing, Hirving Lozano. I think a real top player across the world, a Mexican international. Was a big signing for Napoli as well when they signed him from PSV, so for Crystal Palace to be in that market looking at him just shows where Crystal Palace are looking to go right now.

"They're looking like building an exciting young team under Patrick Vieira and they'll be hoping to build upon an impressive last term in this new season as well."

Lozano would be a huge signing

As O'Rourke said, for the south Londoners to be even in the conversation for a player of such quality is a real marker of where they are at right now, with the club having taken great strides forward following the sometimes dour, underwhelming nature of Roy Hodgson's spell in charge.

Although the former England manager brought great stability to Selhurst Park during his four-year stint at the helm, his often uninspiring brand of football left a lot to be desired, with the introduction of Patrick Viera last summer having breathed new life into the club.

Although the Frenchman has largely targeted young, up-and-coming talent in his relatively brief reign thus far, the addition of Lozano would represent something of a change in tact, with the Eagles able to land a player who is seemingly entering into his prime.

The £27m-rated gem - who has been dubbed a "sensation" by broadcaster Bolarinwa Olajide - has been in impressive form since his €42m (£38.5m) move to Italy in 2019, netting 26 goals and 13 assists in 114 games for Napoli so far in all competitions.

While that record may not be quite as impressive as his haul of 63 goal contributions in 79 games for PSV, the £112k-per-week menace remains a real threat nonetheless, with it an intriguing prospect as to how Vieira would unleash the 5 foot 10 forward in his attack at Selhurst Park.

For supporters as well, the one-time Pachuca man is also a hugely "exciting" talent, in the words of Matt Slater, with there set to be no shortage of entertainment with the Napoli ace on one flank and the fleet-footed Wilfried Zaha on the other.

As Palace look to kick on again next term, having Lozano in tow could well prove to be a difference-maker, with the eye-catching marksman seemingly set to be a "huge signing" if they can pull it off.

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