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Crystal Palace are prepared to smash their transfer record to land Celtic’s £10million defender Virgil van Dijk this summer, writes Darren Witcoop in the Sunday People.

The Eagles have joined the Premier League race to bring the Holland Under-21 star south of the border.

Palace scout Tim Coe has been a regular visitor to Celtic Park and Van Dijk, 23, has received glowing reports.

Selhurst Park co-chairman Steve Parish will back manager Alan Pardew with funds to take the south Londoners to the next level – and Van Dijk fits the bill perfectly.

Pardew wants the defender to play alongside Scott Dann next season.

And he hopes the offer of first-team Premier League football will tempt Van Dijk to snub interest from elsewhere.

Arsenal and Tottenham, who have seen summer target Winston Reid stay at West Ham, are also keen on the powerful centre-half.

SCOUT REPORT: Palace target Virgil van Dijk profiled by Elko Born