Crystal Palace are close to reaching a deal with Sunderland for defender Patrick van Aanholt that could rise to potentially £12 million.
- By Nicholas Koopman
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According to The Guardian, the Van Aaanholt transfer saga is reaching its conclusion, with Sunderland on the verge of selling the defender, and the deal is expected to be concluded as early as this week.
Sam Allardyce, the new Crystal Palace manager, identified Van Aanholt as a key signing following an injury to Crystal Palace’s only natural left back Pape Souare. That prompted an initial £7 million bid last week, which was swiftly rejected by Sunderland. In spite of this, Palace returned yesterday with a bid of £9 million that could rise to £12 million depending on appearances, achievements and Palace’s performance over the course of Van Aanholt’s contract.
Sunderland are understood to find this improved offer more amenable and the player’s willingness to move to Crystal Palace should seal the deal. Van Aanholt moved to Sunderland from Chelsea in 2014 for £1.5 million, so this potential deal represents a healthy profit for the Wearside club as manager David Moyes looks to strengthen and in turn, avoid relegation.
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