Ledley close to Palace switch after Celtic accept £2.5m bid

Joe Ledley has edged closer to a Parkhead exit after Celtic accepted a bid from Crystal Palace.



The Wales midfielder is out of contract this summer and has declined to commit himself to a new deal. Now months of speculation will come to a head after Palace submitted a bid of around £2.5million on Thursday night.



Wary of losing one of their top earners for nothing in the summer, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has accepted the offer and the decision on what happens next lies with the player himself.



Attracting interest: Celtic star Joe Ledley is wanted by Crystal Palace

Should he leave, manager Neil Lennon is unlikely to seek a replacement for the Welshman after the arrival of Stefan Johansen earlier this month. Ledley joined Celtic in July 2010, scoring 31 goals in 242 starts in the process of emerging as a key member of Lennon’s squad.



The Parkhead boss is keen to keep him and fellow contract rebel Georgios Samaras, but has urged both players to leave now rather than run down their contracts and exit for no fee in the summer.



Senior Parkhead sources have denied reports of a move by Turkish club Trabzonspor for Samaras before the window shuts on Friday night, with the Greek looking increasingly likely to stay put.



Celtic, have, failed with two bids for Wolves striker Leigh Griffiths already this week, but appear set to finally land their man, as the Scotland man arrived at Celtic Park on Friday morning for talks.



On the brink: Leigh Griffiths leaves Celtic Park after talks over a move to the Scottish champions

Done deal? Griffiths is close to sealing a switch from Wolves

Wolves have placed a £1.25million valuation on the forward’s head. After securing the capture of replacement Leon Clarke from Coventry on Wednesday night, key figures close to the deal believe Celtic can now secure the player for under £1m.



In the aftermath of Wednesday night’s thumping 4-0 win of Kilmarnock, Lennon admitted the club still have other options.



Amid claims of a bid for an overseas striker he refused to name the player concerned but admitted: ‘We started the ball rolling on him yesterday. It is a very delicate situation.’



Looking abroad: Celtic boss Neil Lennon is exploring his options

The Parkhead boss watched the Dutch based duo of Heerenveen’s Alfred Finbogasson and AZ Alkmaar’s Aron Johansson in action last month. But Lennon will be keen to have Griffiths in place for Sunday’s visit of St Mirren with the Paisley side themselves busy on Thursday.



They pulled the plug on a controversial move for Nacho Novo after landing Aberdeen’s Josh Magennis on loan until the end of the season.



Former Rangers veteran Novo left Renfrewshire rivals Morton after an undistinguished, brief spell last month.

No deal: St Mirren have pulled the plug on a move for Nacho Novo after flak from fans

The 34-year-old free agent had been training with the Buddies but, following a ferocious, negative reaction to the news from Saints fans, the Paisley club turned their attentions to Magennis.



He becomes Danny Lennon’s third signing of the January window after Gregg Wylde on a free and Newcastle youngster Adam Campbell on a six-month loan.

