Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis is close to sealing a 2.5million deal for Blackburn defender Scott Dann – despite the centre-half’s reputation as a relegation expert.
Dann went down from the Premier League with Rovers in 2012 season, having joined them from Birmingham after they suffered the drop to the Championship a year before.
But Pulis is confident the defender is what is needed for the Londoners battle to survive in the top flight, and hopes to agree on a fee within a reasonable level.
Rovers say they can part with the experienced defender at the right price – they wanted 6m for him in the last transfer window which would help to reduce their debts.
Currently Dann is on around 30,000-a-week wages, and Palace are willing to pick up the tab despite their fears of what may happen financially if they go down in may.
However, Pulis needs to persuade Dann to join the fight but sources close to the situation suggest he is ready to fight for survival.
The Eagles also want to sign Blackburns to scorer Jordan Rhodes but currently he is unavailable and the Rovers are trying to get him to sign a new contract.
Dann’s departure would leave Blackburn needing a replacement, but Bowyer in unlikely to see those funds in full.
Written by Steve Milne
