Everton, Palace, Southampton, West Ham – Who needs Gaitan the most?

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Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton and West Ham are all said to be interested in Atletico Madrid’s Nicolas Gaitan.

Atletico Madrid’s Nico Gaitan (C) vies with Qarabag defender Jakub Rzezniczak (R) during the UEFA Champions League football match.

Four Premier League clubs are interested in Atletico Madrid’s Nicolas Gaitan in Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton and West Ham United, according to Spanish publication AS.

It is thought a bid of around £13.4m would be enough for Atleti to allow Gaitan to leave, with the Argentine having failed to impress following a £19m switch from Benfica in the summer of 2016.

Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini (R) tackles Atletico Madrid midfielder Nicolas Gaitan during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match.

Since then the 29-year-old has played 48 times in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing five assists, but has been out of favour this season and wants more regular first team football to try and make Argentina’s squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Yet which of the four English clubs reportedly keen on Gaitan actually need him the most?

Palace already have two decent wide options in Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha, although the latter has played as a striker and if manager Roy Hodgson views that as his best role then perhaps a spot could open up.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace reacts during the Premier League match against Arsenal.

The Toffees have lacked width at times this term, although they will be hoping the return of Yannick Bolasie from injury will help change that, but they also already have an abundance of attacking midfielders that Sam Allardyce somehow needs to fit in.

The Saints are managed by a fellow countryman in Mauricio Pellegrino so could well appeal to Gaitan, yet how long he will be in the dugout remains to be seen with questions being asked and until that is addressed perhaps St Mary’s wouldn’t be the best destination for the attacker.

Finally, West Ham would like someone to bolster their forward line and support Michail Antonio and Marko Arnautovic, as well as provide some creativity for struggling strikers Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez. With money available and changes expected, perhaps the Hammers could be Gaitan’s best choice.