Smart Transfer Moves Crystal Palace Could Make Before Deadline Day

Crystal Palace began their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a respectable 1-0 defeat to top-four contenders Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, but the feeling remains that the club are favourites for relegation this campaign.

Ian Holloway has brought in nine players thus far this summer, as documented on TransferMarkt, although the majority would not naturally be seen as Premier League-quality players.

What is clear is that, in order to survive in the Premier League, the club will have to part with more money in the coming weeks. The signings of Marouane Chamakh and Florian Marange in recent days are a good start, but more can and must be done.

Let's take a look at some players who the club could look at ahead of the September 2 deadline.

Stephane Mbia (Queens Park Rangers)

Crystal Palace, at present, look terribly short of quality in all areas, with the central midfield positions no different.

With QPR having been relegated, the Loftus Road side is looking to offload a lot of its higher earners—at least on a temporary basis—and there are good-value deals to be found.

One such deal could see Cameroon international Stephane Mbia leave the club this summer, with the player possibly available on a one-year loan deal.

Mbia's reputation took a battering last campaign, however, if introduced into a settled team unit, he has previously shown that he has more than enough ability to play at the top level.

Yossi Benayoun (Unattached)

Israeli attacking midfielder Yossi Benayoun could, potentially, be an outstanding free-transfer addition for Crystal Palace this summer, with his plentiful Premier League experience a potentially valuable asset for Holloway and his side.

Benayoun's career has stalled somewhat in recent years, spending a lot of time occupying a space on the substitutes bench at both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Previously with West Ham and Liverpool, though, he was an accomplished Premier League performer.

Speculation this summer is already linking Benayoun with a Selhurst Park switch, including this report from the Daily Mail, in what would be a sensible move for the club on a free transfer.

Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea)

We have discussed Crystal Palace's lack of quality in the centre of midfield and, while he may lack experience, there is no doubting that Chelsea youngster Chalobah would add composure in that area.

The England Under-21 international was outstanding for Championship promotion challengers Watford last season and would benefit from the opportunity to move up to Premier League football.

With Chelsea hoping that Chalobah can secure a suitable move away this summer to continue his development, he would certainly offer a low-cost central midfield option.

Premier League clubs are only allowed two Premier League players on loan, but Chalobah, who can also play in defence, could be a wise move for manager Ian Holloway.

Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)

Although Marouane Chamakh, Dwight Gayle and Kevin Phillips have arrived at Selhurst Park this summer, there is a real question as to where the side's goals will come from this season.

In Spurs' Jermain Defoe, though, there may be a reliable goalscorer available to the club at a very reasonable price this summer—with Defoe set to cost around £6 million according to the Daily Mail.

Although it would be a lot of money to spend on another striker, scoring regular goals will be essential if Palace are to stand any chance of survival. At the moment, it is difficult to see that happening.

Although he would not be cheap, it is unlikely Defoe's value would drop greatly over the course of the season, meaning the outlay could be mostly recovered next summer.

Chris Baird (Unattached)

While Chris Baird is unlikely to set pulses rating in South London, he is a versatile and experienced option who has shown at Fulham that he is more than capable of performing in the Premier League.

His best position in recent years has been as a central midfielder, but the advantage of Baird is that he is also a more than competent alternative at full-back if required.

Baird is currently being linked with a move to Harry Redknapp's QPR side by Sky Sports, but he would be an excellent addition as a squad depth option for a number of lower-end Premier League sides.

Palace are currently looking thin on the ground in terms of depth and quality, with Baird a potentially solid option in a number of positions.