Everton midfielder James McCarthy is closing in on a cut-price move to Crystal Palace, according to BBC Sport.
The Eagles had been credited with an interest in the 41-cap Republic of Ireland international earlier in the summer, but reports suggested the Toffees board rejected an £8million bid as we were holding out for £10million.
Speculation that followed by Sky Sports suggested the Selhurst Park natives had agreed to pay £8.5million, while the Daily Mail suggested an £8million transfer was sanctioned, with the 28-year-old due in South London on Wednesday for a medical.
BBC Sport, however, understand the fee Palace will pay is just £3million, and a deal is close for the 2020-free agent, but support the Daily Mail’s claim that he will discuss personal terms and carry out a medical on Wednesday.
The Daily Mail also credit Newcastle United and Celtic with interest in the defensive midfielder, who was identified by Palace boss Roy Hodgson as a key signing as he looks to strengthen the spine of his side ahead of our trip to South London on Saturday.
As for Sky Sports, they suggest the initial £8millon offer was rejected over the structure of the Eagles’ payments, who have pushed on with their interest irrespective of our advances for Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha.
A selection of Everton supporters have been reacting on social media to the BBC’s claim that Palace will pay a cut-price fee for the rarely-seen midfielder, who has been fit since October following a double leg fracture sustained in January 2018.
Here’s what these Blues fans have shared…