Crystal Palace close in on late move for Derby striker Luke Plange

Crystal Palace are making progress in their late move to sign Derby’s former Arsenal striker Luke Plange. 

Sportsmail understands they have had an offer accepted – Derby’s administrators valued 19-year-old Plange in the region of £1m.

Manager Wayne Rooney insisted no Derby players would leave today while the club were also insistent that any deal would be on the condition that Plange was loaned back.

Luke Plange (left) is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace from cash-strapped Derby County

Wayne Rooney was insistent that none of his Derby players would leave late in the window

Due to Derby being under a transfer embargo that represented a major hurdle but Sportsmail also understands a compromise has been reached with the EFL, allowing all parties to be satisfied and Plange to at least finish the season at Pride Park.

Meanwhile, Palace are also understood to be close to finalising a permanent deal for loanee Jean-Philippe Mateta to stay at Selhurst Park.

The Mainz striker has impressed boss Patrick Vieira this season, scoring goals against Millwall and Norwich.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (centre) is also expected to move to Palace permanently from Mainz