Crystal Palace have opened discussions with former Swansea forward Andre Ayew, according to reports in the English media.

There were claims last month that both Celtic and Newcastle were pursuing the Ghanaian international, who scored 17 goals in the Championship last campaign.

However, it appears that Palace have stolen a march on their rivals, and they also have an important advantage in the fact that Ayew’s brother Jordan is already a player at Selhurst Park.

Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou is keen on strengthening his options out wide, as well as up front, so Ayew would have been a smart purchase on a free transfer.

The Scottish club’s failure to recruit players quickly this summer has been a source of major frustration among the fanbase, especially as it was known a number of months ago that they would have to play Champions League qualifiers in mid-July.

Postecoglou will now go into next week’s game with FC Midtjylland knowing that he will have to field an understrength team against a strong opponent.