Report: Crystal Palace eye Stephane Mbia on free transfer

Crystal Palace have apparently spoken to Stephane Mbia about returning to the Premier League on a free transfer this month.

The 28-year-old is on a short-term contract with Spanish side Sevilla, but has an agreement with the club that he can leave in this window.

Mbia, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, still owns a flat in Chelsea and would be keen on a second chance in England after flopping at Queens Park Rangers.

His agent Jean-Paul Ndoumin is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "Stephane signed a short-term contract with Sevilla as he wanted the opportunity in this window to discuss a return to the Premier League. It is a league that excites him and one he believes is the most challenging and he likes a challenge.

"He feels the Premier League didn't see the best of him at QPR and he wants to put that right. He doesn't want to wait until the last minute; he is ready to move now."

New Palace manager Alan Pardew is keen to bolster his options in the centre of the park and is ready to give Mbia a reprieve, but may have to fight off competition from Everton, who are also after a holding midfielder.

Mbia made 29 appearances as QPR were relegated to the Championship in 2012-13, but rebuilt his reputation by helping Sevilla to Europa League glory last season, and has also played 11 times for them this term.