May 20 2011

Dougie Freedman

Crystal Palace are reportedly close to signing Brighton striker GLENN MURRAY and Bristol Rovers midfielder Chris Lines.

MURRAY notched 20 goals for the Seagulls as they stormed to the League One title but the 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the month and believed to be wanting a move.

Palace face competition from Millwall and Southampton for the 27-year-old and Eagles boss Dougie Freedman reckons he'll be a fine addition if he can land his services.

"We are interested," he said. "He is a good player and someone I feel would improve us as a team. He is on a Bosman and that's the kind of market we are working in.

"I would like him to come here but I know there are other teams in for him as well. Millwall and Southampton are also certainly interested."

Eagles assistant manager Lennie Lawrence knows about Lines from his time as Rovers' Director of Football and Freedman believes the 25-year-old would be an ideal capture.

"He is one we have been watching for some time now," he said. "Lennie is leading the way with this. He knows the player well and feels he has the ability and most importantly the right sort of character to do well for us."