June 26 2001

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Marseille's reserve goalkeeper Cedric Carasso, according to reports in France.

Carasso, 19, has yet to break into the first-team and only turned professional last year. Marseille may be keen to send the promising youngster out on loan, as they recently bought another keeper, Claudio Gentile, from Lausanne.

The French side have four goalkeepers at the club and Carasso would see the move as a good chance for first team experience.

The Eagles have been stepping up their search for an understudy to Alexandrs Kolinko in the past few weeks.

Recent newspaper reports suggest that Birmingham's Ian Bennett could be coming to Selhurst Park after the Blues signed Nico Vaesen from Huddersfield.

Manager Steve Bruce was keen to sign Vaesen himself from his old club, but the goalkeeper opted to sign for the Blues for £1.5m instead.