Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that the club's "brave" move for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is close to completion.
The Eagles had a £27m bid rising to £32m accepted by the Reds on Thursday following lengthy negotiations.
It appears as though Liverpool will recoup much of the £32.5m figure that they paid to Aston Villa to secure Benteke's services in the summer of 2015.
The Belgium international struggled to make an impact at Anfield, and when Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers as manager in October, he fell behind Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi in the pecking order.
This morning, Pardew praised Palace's board for their work in getting the Benteke deal, but has stressed that the transfer is not yet finalised.
"It's still subject to a medical and personal terms, but in terms of an agreement with Liverpool finally we seem to have got there," Pardew told reporters in his weekly press conference.
"I don't want to talk too much about it because it's still not complete, but Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak have left this week and I think it's important to replace iconic players with iconic players.
"That's something that didn't always happen at Newcastle, so I'm pleased the board has been brave with his move."
Last season, Benteke scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for Liverpool.
Danielle Joynson
