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CRYSTAL PALACE last night launched a stunning £800,000 raid on Celtic for Joe Ledley.

And the Welsh international could become an English Premier League player by the end of today if he agrees the switch to Selhurst Park.

As Record Sport exclusively revealed on Christmas Eve, Palace manager Tony Pulis wants the midfielder to boost his side’s chances of beating relegation.

Last night he made his move and talks opened between the clubs with Ledley still refusing to commit to a new contract at Parkhead.

The 27-year-old is a free agent in the summer and, faced with the prospect of seeing the player walk away for nothing in June, Celtic are willing to deal. The decision will now be down to the international ace.

Pulis, who is desperate to add new faces as he looks to bolster his team’s survival chances, has long been an admirer of Ledley.

Three-and-a-half years ago during his time in charge of Stoke City, he tried to sign the player from Cardiff before Celtic beat him to the punch.

Now, though, Pulis could finally be about to land his man before tonight’s 11pm signing deadline.

Celtic have spent the past three months trying to convince Ledley to extend his contract at Parkhead.

However, the midfield dynamo and his advisors refused to commit, despite manager Neil Lennon suggesting that the noises from the Welshman’s camp were positive.

Ledley was a standout in the 4-0 midweek win over Kilmarnock and scored but that will be his last contribution for the club unless he turns down Palace and a crack at England’s top flight.

Meanwhile, club skipper Scott Brown reckons the performances of the Celtic squad this season prove they are one of the best ever to wear the Hoops.

The win over Killie saw Celtic equal a clean sheet record that had stood for 92 years and the result also saw the Hoops stretch their lead at the top of the Premiership table to 18 points and take their unbeaten run to 23 games.

Brown said: “With this run of results and the clean sheets I think this is one of the best Celtic teams in a long time.”