February 21 2001

Fan Zhiyi

Rumours are going around that Middlesbrough are ready to meet Palace's asking price for defender Fan Zhiyi. Boro boss Terry Venables was at Palace when the Chinese international joined the Selhurst Park club in 1998.

Fan Zhiyi recently signed a new contract with The Eagles ending specualtion linking him with a move to Liverpool and Middlesbrough, but apparently there is a clause in his contract saying he can leave if another club offers more than £3 million.

The 31 year-old Chinaman did not travel to Barnsley with the squad yesterday. It is said that he held talks with Middlesbrough boss Terry Venables instead.

Also today, Palace chairman Simon Jordan has dismissed rumours about the club being linked with a move for Erik Nevland.

A few days ago there were reports suggesting that Alan Smith was keen on signing the Viking Stavanger striker after he saw him at a torunament in La Manga, Spain.

Jordan has also stressed that he will be taking legal action against the FA if the club are fined again for the touchline incident in the game against Norwich City on Saturday.

The club are also going to appeal against Jamie Pollock's red card in that match.