Amido Balde in Crystal Palace's sights

Crystal Palace are hoping to pip Celtic in the race for Portuguese striker Amido Balde.

Newly-promoted Palace have reportedly outbid Celtic, who were close to sealing a £2.5million deal with Vitoria Guimaraes.

The Scottish champions had even booked a flight and a medical for Balde, 22, but Palace’s last minute phone call means any deal will be delayed by at least 24 hours, according to the Daily Mirror.

Balde was due to fly from London to Glasgow this morning, but Guimaraes president Julio Mendes has said the club will consider Palace’s bid before agreeing a deal with Celtic.

“Our obligation is to obtain the maximum profit for the club and if Palace offers more money it would be a error not to study the offer,” he said.

The deal is complicated by the fact that the player’s uncle and agent, Catio Balde, owns 55 per cent of the player, Vitoria Guimaraes 35 per cent and Sporting Lisbon 10 per cent.