Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal to make Jean-Philippe Mateta's loan move permanent.
The Eagles had been open to letting the French striker leave at the start of the month but an upturn in form has seen him climb the pecking order in Patrick Vieira's squad.
Mateta originally joined on loan from German side Mainz with an obligation to buy for £13million after a certain amount of starts for Crystal Palace. The 24-year-old will not hit that threshold but Palace still want to make the move permanent and have been in negotiations with Mainz over a reduced fee.
Talks are expected to continue today and it is thought that the two sides are close to agreeing a fee of around £8m. The former France Under-21 international has two goals and an assist in nine appearances for the south Londoners so far this season.
Palace had been keen on a deal for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, but with both Mateta and Christian Benteke staying put this month, and Wilfried Zaha now heading back from the Africa Cup of Nations, a move for another forward is unlikely.
Instead, Palace are pushing for a remarkable deal to land Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season.
United paid £39m to sign the midfielder from Dutch side Ajax 18 months ago but the 24-year-old has struggled for form and chances at Old Trafford.
Palace chiefs are growing in confidence that a deal for the Netherlands international can be struck and are now negotiating a loan fee with their counterparts at United.
The Red Devils have demanded high loan fees for Jesse Lingard so far this month, which has left the former West Ham man's move to Newcastle hanging by a thread.
Should Palace get the deal for Van de Beek over the line, it is understood that there would be no option to buy included.
