Crystal Palace are set to announce the signing of 22-year-old German midfielder Max Meyer.

Meyer is a free agent after leaving Schalke at the end of last season and has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.

Palace have had a frustrating summer in the transfer market but the signing of Meyer — only the second arrival at Selhurst Park, following Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita — is a boost for Roy Hodgson with just over a week until the season starts.

Meyer played as a defensive midfielder last season and made 28 appearances for Schalke as they finished second in the Bundesliga. He has four caps for Germany and was in the team that won the European Under-21 Championships last year.

Schalke sporting executive Christian Heidel confirmed the move, saying: “I am happy for Max. He is a top footballer and now plays in the Premier League, so he has to prevail.”