[goldenHuddlestone]

Crystal Palace are confident of sealing the signing central defender Jose Fonte from Portuguese giants Benfica in the near future.

The 23-year-old spent last season out on loan at Estrela Amadora and is set to join the Eagles on loan, with a view to a permanent deal.

Palace boss Peter Taylor told the Croydon Advertiser: "After some really positive news I'm very hopeful that we've now tied up the Fonte deal.

"We're confident everything's been agreed and he'll be flying over for a chat and a medical.

"I'm very excited about this young boy because I think he's a good centre-half and a good footballer, so I'm looking forward to working with him.

"We've hopefully got him for 12 months, with a small loan fee payable to Benfica. Then there'll be a bigger fee to pay after a year, if he likes us and we like him, so we've got the option of making it permanent.

"It's been hard work at times and there were lots of other clubs interested in the boy."