As reported by The Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are very interested in securing the signature of Sunderland's in-form left-back Patrick van Aanholt in this month's transfer window.

What's the story?

Only Swansea and Hull have conceded more goals than Crystal Palace this season and that has left new boss Sam Allardyce seeking solutions.

The man said, by The Mail, to be at the top of his list this January is Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aanholt.

The paper say that Palace have already made a bid worth up to £8m for the defender but that Sunderland will hold out for more. David Moyes is keen to maximise fees for players to give him room to manoeuvre himself in the transfer window.

What they need?

With Papa Souare ruled out for the rest of the season Crystal Palace badly need depth and competition in the left-back area. Neither Martin Kelly nor Joel Ward have particularly impressed there and resources are stretched thin with both players taking turns to fill in the position.

In contrast, Van Aanholt has been one of Sunderland's better performers this season both in a defensive and attacking sense. If pace and guile is what Allardyce is looking for then the Dutch international is his man.

He can do a shift defensively too although given Palace's propensity to get forward to showcase their best players, it could be his dribbling and passing ability that is most attractive for Allardyce.

Signing one of the better performers from relegation rivals would be a shrewd move from the Eagles and if they can pull it off, it could be a signing that might just make the difference come May.