Report: Crystal Palace nearing Van Aanholt signing for potential £12M
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce is set for a reunion with former pupil Patrick van Aanholt.
The Croydon club is close to signing the Sunderland left-back for a £9-million layout that could rise to £12 million, according to the Guardian's Dominic Fifield.
Van Aanholt's arrival would fill a gross vacancy at the position. Makeshift defender Joel Ward was deputised in place of the injured Pape Souare, who underwent surgery on both his thigh and jaw after a frightening car crash on the M3 in September.
Palace sealed the signature of Leicester City academy graduate Jeffrey Schlupp earlier this month, and although he has played at left-back before, he's considered more of an attacking option on that flank.
Allardyce has apparently identified Van Aanholt as the ideal stand-in replacement for Souare. Bottom-feeder Sunderland, which is currently competing for Premier League survival with 18th-placed Palace, reportedly rejected a £7-million offer from the Eagles before receiving a more palatable second proposal.
The Guardian's Fifield understands Palace also bid for Tottenham's Ben Davies, Leeds' Charlie Taylor, Norwich City's Robbie Brady, and Juventus' Patrice Evra.
Van Aanholt, however, has been a consistent Premier League performer over the past three campaigns, and his familiarity with Allardyce is paramount.
He scored a massive goal in May against Everton to help Sunderland avoid the drop.