Tony Pulis has reportedly persuaded Steven Caulker to join Crystal Palace.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Eagles boss is ready to break the club’s transfer record to sign the Cardiff City defender, with Caulker also being offered £42,000 per week in wages.
Should the report prove true, the news would come as a big blow to Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers, who has been tracking the centre-back for a matter of weeks.
Rio Ferdinand is expected to complete his move to Loftus Road soon but it was widely understood that Caulker would be joining him.
Reports had suggested that the 22-year-old wanted a move to Liverpool, though Palace and QPR looked to have been the only sides to show concrete interest so far.
| Team | Pos | Tackles Won | Interceptions Won | Effective Clearances | Aerial Duels Won | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Caulker | Cardiff | DF | 31 | 47 | 326 | 144 | 38 | 3,420 |
As Opta stats show, Caulker was an ever-present for Cardiff last year, winning 31 tackles, 144 aerial duels and completing 47 interceptions.
Impressively, he made 326 clearances, while also scoring five goals for the Bluebirds despite their eventual relegation.
At 22, the former Tottenhman man looks to have a bright future and the lure of Premier League football has made his Cardiff exit look inevitable this summer.
Now, though, it appears a move to Selhurst Park – not Loftus Road – could be a strong possibility.
The news would add to the disappointment QPR suffered earlier yesterday, when their plans to move stadium were dealt a blow by their former sponsors.
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