Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is keen to sign Patrick Bamford
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is eyeing a potential loan signing of Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford in the summer, according to the Daily Star.
The 21-year-old, who is currently on-loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, has impressed during his season-long stay at the Riverside, having found the net on 20 occasions for Aitor Karanka’s side.
And having been told by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho that first-team football at Stamford Bridge can’t be guaranteed, Bamford may have to start looking for alternatives next season.
The West Londoners would prefer to loan Bamford out to a top-flight club next term, as the forward has already impressed in the Football League, enjoying fruitful spells at MK Dons and Derby County last season, before a season spent on Teeside.
And Palace hope they can provide that loan next season, and are set to submit a serious offer once Bamford concludes his stint at Middlesbrough at the end of next month.
Should Boro gain promotion to the promise land themselves, then given Mourinho’s friendship with Aitor Karanka, a loan move back to the north-east could be the most appropriate option for his development.
Bamford to take the ‘loan road’ again?
Chelsea’s intentions regarding Bamford’s loan status have seen several sides jostle for a potential signature in the summer, with Southampton and Crystal Palace leading the way.
Palace are keen to bolster their attacking prowess in time for the 2015/16 season, and Alan Pardew hopes that he can pip former-club Southampton, and land the highly-rated starlet, who is close to sealing a new deal at Chelsea.
However, Bamford, who was recently crowned the Championship player of the year, believes that he does see a future at Chelsea, despite having never played a competitive game for them since his £1.5m move from Nottingham Forest in January 2012.
“I just have to stick with it, be patient and hopefully my rewards will come, said Bamford.
“I want to play for Chelsea, I hope I do get that chance and I think I can compete.”
by Ben Reardon
