dom fifield from the guardian writes that we are looking at ben davies on loan from spurs & rudy gedeste from villa, possibly in some sort of swap deal including mutch.

not a bad start to the january rumours.

‘Football isn’t instant coffee. You have to work at it. You must grow the bean, grind it.’ Ian Holloway

Here we go again, same old, same old, Every time a transfer window opens we are linked with these type of players. By that, I mean one's who can't even get in the team's they are with. Also Gedsted ( spelling )did not exactly set the Prem alight when he was in it with Villa. Whoever puts these stories out well.............And if Palace have put feelers out and the press have got hold of it, what did Parish say a year or so ago. He said we need more ambition.

South London born and bred
red and blue till im dead.

I'm not going to comment about the speculation but I will pass comment on one of the players being mentioned in the media.

Gestede is a terrific header of the ball and is strong at getting on the end of crosses.But he is not the most mobile, is not one to link the play nor does he have the pace to get in behind defences.
I understand that he has a good scoring record against Nottm Forest and as of a few months ago had scored 7 in his last 7 games against them.

Gestede would be a pointless signing, never going to compete with Benteke for a starting position and they'd get in the way of one another in a 2 up front. Once Wickham returns we'd end up having 3 target men fighting for 1 spot. We need someone that runs in behind and stretches the defence.

That's why the rumour is on loan rather than signing - back up should anything happen to Benteke until Wickham is fit. Get your point re needing a different type of player but I'd guess they are hoping that Remy may eventually play a gamer and that Campbell still has some worth compare to what we can attract as a 3rd/4th choice.

Best to work on basis that Papa is finished, if he is then able to return at some point in the future it's a bonus.