Crystal Palace reach £9m agreement for Burnley target

Crystal Palace have moved ahead of Burnley in the race to land Norwich City left-back Robbie Brady after agreeing a £9m fee with the Championship outfit, reports The Guardian.

Sam Allardyce’s side are keen to bolster their defence this month in order to give themselves a better chance of beating the drop but the Palace manager had been eyeing a raid of former club Sunderland for Patrick van Aanholt.

The Eagles are understood to be close to agreeing a £12m deal for the Netherlands left-back but it would seem unlikely Allardyce’s side would sign both players given they have already secured the services of Jeffrey Schlupp from Leicester this month.

It would now seem that Palace must choose between whether to sign Brady or Van Aanholt, but importantly, they are in pole position to sign both and are ahead of their direct relegation rivals.

Not only can Brady in his usual position of left-back, but the 25-year-old can play right the way up the left hand side of the pitch and is an effective goalscorer as well as being an accomplished defender. He has played a direct hand in seven goals for the Canaries this season.

For more stats on Robbie Brady, click here to visit his WhoScored player page