Report: Crystal Palace preparing Islam Slimani bid

Crystal Palace are reportedly prepared to pay £22.5m this month to sign Algerian attacker Islam Slimani from Sporting Lisbon.

The 27-year-old has netted 41 goals in 90 appearances for his current club and also impressed at the 2014 World Cup, when he scored twice in the group stages to help his country reach the knockout stages.

Sporting are said to be keen to keep hold of the forward, but according to A Bola, a bid in excess of £22m would activate his release clause.

The same report claims that Palace boss Alan Pardew has sent scouts to watch Slimani on a number of occasions this season. Any move over £13m, which brought Yohan Cabaye to the club last summer, would smash Palace's transfer record.