Crystal Palace closing in on deal to sign teenage midfielder Scott Banks from Dundee
Crystal Palace are on the verge of agreeing a deal to bring highly-rated Dundee midfielder Scott Banks to the club, Roy Hodgson has confirmed.
The finer details between the two clubs are yet to be completely finalised though it is believed that Palace sealed a pre-contract with Banks - who was out of contract with the Scottish club this summer having knocked back the offer of a new deal last year.
Dundee were due £200k in compensation for any move though it has been reported in Scotland that the deal taking 18-year-old could be worth slightly more and include significant add ons.
"I know about Scott Banks," said Hodgson. "I think he is on the verge of joining us, but he is a very young player who Doug [Freedman, sporting director] knows from Scotland.
"His first contacts with the club will probably be more on the academy side. I haven't been able to scout him at all, but I know he is a very talented midfield player and the right type we are looking for so it will be nice to welcome him to the club."
In coming transfer window Palace are keen to bring the average age of their squad down drastically by targeting younger signings. Only Burnley, with an average age of 28.8 have a marginally older squad than the south Londoners (28.7).
