Crystal Palace close in on £12m move for Sunderland defender

Crystal Palace are poised to land Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt in a deal worth £12m after making a breakthrough in negotiations with the Black Cats, reports The Guardian.

Sam Allardyce is keen to strengthen his Palace outfit after finding the task of saving the Eagles far harder than previously imagined when he replaced Alan Pardew before Christmas.

Palace have already signed Jeffrey Schlupp from Leicester this month and they are now set to add another defender to their ranks with the transfer of Van Aanholt.

Allardyce previously worked with the Dutchman during his time as Sunderland manager last season and his arrival would not only strengthen their own options but also strip a direct relegation rival of one of their best players.

In the last three Premier League seasons only Leighton Baines (18) has played a direct hand in more goals of defenders than Van Aanholt (16).

For more stats on Patrick van Aanholt, click here to visit his WhoScored player page