Roy Hodgson has reportedly started planning for his summer transfer business, with Crystal Palace being linked to Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram.

According to The Mirror, the Eagles are interested in swooping for the 27-year-old on a free transfer in the summer with his contract set to expire at Bramall Lane.

There is currently a contract conundrum at Selhurst Park with midfielders James McArthur and James McCarthy both set to run down their deals but Lundstram is not the answer that Hodgson needs.

He had an excellent first season in the Premier League under Chris Wilder, scoring five goals and providing three assists, he was not able to continue that high level of performance this year.

In 23 appearances in the league this campaign, the £7.2m-rated midfielder is yet to score amidst a dreadful season for Sheffield United.

When compared to the potentially departing duo of McArthur and McCarthy, Lundstram is certainly no better.

According to WhoScored, Lundstram only averages 0.1 more key passes per game than the former, whilst averaging only marginally higher defensive numbers than the latter which for a team who has spent the majority of the season propping up the table, is not too inspiring.

One positive of his arrival, however, could be the lower wages that he would command in comparison. Currently earning £4k per week with the Blades, even an increase on that amount should save Palace money on the combined £105k per week wages that McCarthy and McArthur scoop at Selhurst Park.

Should the two depart though, it is doubtful that Lundstram would even be able to find his way into the Palace team immediately with the likes of Luka Milivojevic, Cheikhou Kouyate, Jairo Riedewald and even Nathan Ferguson all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Whilst Lundstram would by no means be a terrible signing, he is certainly no better than what the Eagles currently have, with his potential arrival indicating a somewhat of lack of ambition from Steve Parish and the club.

AND in more news, Read more on how key it is for Palace to tie down Patrick van Aanholt to a new contract...