FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace look set to bolster their defense with the signing of Irish defender Shane Duffy. In a move that could see them become the only Premier League team with an all-Irish centre-half partnership - Pardew had identified Duffy as a potential replacement should Scott Dann leave. According to the Daily Mail, Duffy is now considered the chief transfer target for the FA Cup runners-up.
The Eagles have been linked with Duffy since March, when West Brom were also rumoured to be interested in the former Everton defender. Duffy played 41 times for Rovers this season, forming a formidable partnership with Grant Hanley as the team finished 15th.
The 24-year-old is expected to cost Palace about £3 million, joining Damian Delaney in the heart of the Eagles defense.
Duffy has two caps for the Republic of Ireland. He looks like he'll be the main beneficiary of Marc Wilson's unfortunate injury. He is likely to start against the Netherlands this evening. Crystal Palace's interest can only be a positive thing for the Blackburn Rovers centre-half. Martin O'Neill won't name his final squad until after the Belarus friendly on Tuesday night.
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Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
