Crystal Palace transfers: Alexander Sorloth joins Gent on loan as fourth Eagles leaves Selhurst Park in January transfer window

The 23-year-old striker needs first-team minutes and couldn't get them at Palace

Alexander Sorloth played against Grimsby on Saturday but has struggled for league minutes (Getty Images)

Crystal Palace will loan striker Alexander Sorloth to Gent as they continue to clear space on the wage bill during January.

Sorloth, bought for £9m a year ago as back-up for the injured Christian Benteke, has struggled for first-team minutes and has recently found himself out of the matchday squad with Connor Wickham's return from injury.

With manager Roy Hodgson preferring a forward pairing of Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha for now in the Premier League, Sorloth will head to Belgium in search of first-team football and Gent manager Jess Thorup has already spoken about his excitement at the Norwegian international's arrival.

“I saw that he played on Saturday... bad news," Thorup laughed.

"He has power, pace and can hopefully score some goals. That’s what we need.”

Alexander Sorloth joined Crystal Palace in a £9m move from FC Midtjylland (Getty)

It is understood that Gent have no permanent option to sign the 23-year-old forward, who still has three years left on the long-term contract he signed on deadline day last January.

Sorloth becomes the fourth player to leave Palace this window, following Jordon Mutch (released), Jason Puncheon (loaned to Huddersfield) and Jonny Williams (Charlton).

Sporting director Dougie Freedman is looking to bring in reinforcements in attack and the club were in talks over loaning Michy Batshuayi and Dominic Solanke until talks went south.

Batshuayi is set for showdown talks with Valencia but now counts on interest from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce as well as the Premier League.