September 4 2001

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are set to sign Bradford's MATT CLARKE and are due to have talks with the out-of-favour keeper after agreeing a £1m fee.

CLARKE, 27, does not feature in manager Jim Jeffries plans and he wants to move for a chance of first team football.

He spent the end of last season on loan at Bolton and turned down a move to Fulham.

CLARKE's agent Ian Elliott told Ananova.com: "Both clubs are in early discussions, but of course MATT would be interested to hear what they have to say.

"His frustration is growing at Bradford; one minute he is being touted as a future England goalkeeper and now he can't get a game.

"However, he doesn't blame anyone for that, although it's clear to everybody that MATT needs to move on.

Elliot told planetfootball.com: "There have been opportunities where he could have gone to other clubs as a number two.

"But he would rather be playing first-team football, so he would not mind staying in Division One instead of going to the Premiership to be a number two.

"We are aware of the interest from Palace. The clubs are currently in the throws of negotiating the deal and we should be travelling down to London tonight (Tuesday).

"MATT is happy to talk to them and wants the opportunity to play regular first team football.

"There has been a lot of interest in MATT, but most of it has been loan deals with other First Division clubs and under-standably Bradford do not want to let him move to one of their rivals on a temporary basis."