July 7 2004

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are close to completing the signing of Dundee's Argentinian goalkeeper Julian Speroni for £500,000, and Gabor Kiraly may be next, if the Hungarian international stopper impresses on trial this week, by Joseph O'Shea.

It had been widely reported that Kiraly, Hertha Berlin's 28-year-old second choice keeper, had already signed for Palace on a three-year deal, but in fact he arrived at Palace's Beckenham training ground on Tuesday morning for a 48 hour trial.

Dowie said: "He has come for a two day trial. Let's get it right, he has not signed.

"He's an international keeper. We liked the look of him, so we'll see. He is arriving this morning and will be working with Mick (Kelly, Palace's goalkeeping coach)."

The 6ft 5' Hungarian number one has 22 caps, but is now out-of-contract after losing his club place to Christian Fiedler last term. He has just become a father for the second time and clearly thought a move to Palace was secured last week.

He reportedly said: "The chance to go to England has been settled, and I've fulfilled a dream."

Palace are close to sealing the signature of Dowie's first choice target, Dundee's 25-year-old keeper Julian Speroni in a £500,000 deal. The Argentine has been a big hit at Dens Park since arriving in 2001, but the Dark Blues are in administration and reluctantly accepted Palace's improved offer.

Dowie said: "It's close to completion, but there are a few details to be finalised. Julian is player who we and Mick very much liked. For the Premier League you need to have a very agile and nimble keeper, Julian is certainly that. He has a fantastic work ethic and a lovely low centre of gravity."

If Kiraly is offered a contract, he will then battle it out with Speroni for the number one jersey, raising question marks over Frenchman Cedric Berthelin's future at the club.

Dowie said: "I am looking for two number ones. I want there to be competition, it's important, because it's a big position."

Dowie also revealed that he had tried to sign Birmingham's Nico Vaesen on a permanent basis, after his impressive displays in Palace's promotion via the play-offs, but was thwarted by the Blues' demands for a transfer fee.

He added: "Nico Vaesen did very well for us but Birmingham still wanted more money for him when we thought he was out of contract. He had some clause so we couldn't get that over the line."