Crystal Palace badly need a goalkeeper and a perfect solution may arrive in the summer.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson told The Croydon Advertiser in November that he wanted to sign a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
Settling on a number one has been a problem for Hodgson, who has rotated between 38-year-old Julian Speroni and the inconsistent Wayne Hennessey since taking over at Selhurst Park.
However, with just one recognised striker in his squad and injuries to defenders Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann, a new stopper may have dropped down Hodgson’s priority list for this month.
If the Eagles, now looking well equipped to stay in the Premier League, were to wait until the summer to strengthen in this area, a long-term solution may arise in the form of Burnley’s Nick Pope.
Pope has been one of the division’s best goalkeepers this season, making 18 league starts for the Clarets since being thrust into a debut following a serious injury to Tom Heaton.
However, England international Heaton has been a pivotal figure for Burnley for several years and remains club captain at Turf Moor, so will likely regain his place when he returns to fitness.
Pope might be reluctant to go back to the bench after getting a taste of Premier League life this season, and his form this season is deserving of the number-one jersey somewhere.
At 25 years old, the former Charlton Athletic stopper would be a long-term solution to Palace’s goalkeeping crisis, if Hodgson has the foresight to wait for him until the end of the campaign.
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