This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Crystal Palace have sent scouts to watch Sassuolo left-back Alessandro Tripaldelli in action, while Manchester United and Southampton are also keeping tabs on the youngster.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Eagles are reportedly eyeing up the 20-year-old full-back who has quite a lot of admirers, despite making just two Serie A appearances this season.

Tripaldelli is on the radar of Sassuolo's fellow Italian sides Fiorentina, Atalanta and Bologna, while Spanish outfits Levante and Valencia are also monitoring the youngster.

Sassuolo's No.33 helped the Italy U20 side to fourth place at the U20 World Cup back in the summer, and he must certainly have something about him if he is being watched by sides with the pedigree of Valencia and Manchester United.

Tutto Mercato Web describe the young Italian as being "suitable for a British championship" while also mentioning his pace as a key asset of his.

Potential threat to Patrick van Aanholt

Now, while it would be far-fetched to state that a 20-year-old will arrive in England and immediately dislodge a first-teamer from his spot, context must be applied to Crystal Palace and Patrick van Aanholt's situation if Tripaldelli did end up in south London.

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Firstly, the Eagles have just one senior left-back at the club in the shape of van Aanholt, so depth is definitely required in that area - Roy Hodgson was forced to play midfielder Jairo Riedewald there in the Carabao Cup earlier this term, something that the former England boss later apologised for.

Secondly, his poor performances must be mentioned.

The Dutchman is a liability for Palace from a defensive aspect - while he may score some important goals, he is caught out at the back far too often by opposition attackers.

His performance against Leicester a few weeks ago drew anger from some Palace fans on Twitter, a game in which his poor attempt to clear the ball led to the Foxes' opener.

In that respect, if Palace managed to beat some big clubs to the highly-rated young left-back and he arrived at Selhurst Park, van Aanholt's place may be under threat.

In other news, check out what these Crystal Palace fans have been saying about a teenage hat-trick hero who dazzled Andros Townsend...