Crystal Palace to sign Patrick van Aanholt

Crystal Palace are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign Sunderland full-back Patrick van Aanholt this month.

The Netherlands international is said to be the prime target for Eagles boss Sam Allardyce as he seeks to add more steel to faltering defence. Palace have conceded an average of nearly two goals a game whilst keeping a solitary clean sheet in the process.

According to ESPN, the South London side have agreed on a £12m package for the Dutch footballer after their initial bid of £7m was turned down last week.

Black Cats manager David Moyes has been reluctant to lose his key players in the transfer window, but he may now have to utilise the sum to bring in fresh recruits.

The former Chelsea graduate has appeared nearly 100 times for Sunderland since arriving in the summer of 2014.