Pardew denies Bolasie’s move to Everton is imminent

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has denied reports that Yannick Bolasie is on the verge of joining Everton.

The 27-year-old former West London Academy pupil, who grew up in the area and played for Hillingdon Borough as a teenager, has been tipped to move to Merseyside in a big-money deal.

Reports suggested the transfer was imminent, but Pardew does not expect it to be finalised before the weekend.

He said: “We’ve got nothing concrete to announce today, other than a lot of rumours. There’s nothing that’s going to happen before the weekend.

“Yannick is contracted here. He’s a great player and a great person – I love him.

“We’ll treat him with the utmost respect in any situation. My conversations with him will stay private.”