Pardew ready for new Crystal Palace deal; Gayle commits future

Mark Scott
Alan Pardew: Set to sign new Crystal Palace contract

Alan Pardew: Set to sign new Crystal Palace contract

Alan Pardew has confirmed he is ready to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace, with Dwight Gayle becoming the latest to commit his future.

Striker Gayle had been heavily linked with transfers to Swansea, Bristol City and Norwich during the past two transfer windows given his lack of first-team involvement.

Negotiations surrounding the forward’s deal, which expires in 2017, had been ongoing since November but a two-year extension to that is to be signed.

It follows recent long-term commitments to the club by Scott Dann, Joel Ward, James McArthur, Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie and Pape Souare.

“I believe (Gayle’s) contract is agreed,” said Pardew. “If it’s signed, I’m not 100 per cent sure.

“He’s a player that scores goals and we’ve missed him for long periods this season.”

Palace can reach the 40-point mark – typically considered enough to avoid relegation – with victory when they host Everton on Wednesday.

And Pardew said: “There’s no way I’m going to sign a new contract if we’re in danger of relegation, so I have to wait until mathematically we’re safe and then hopefully sign a new contract here.

“Of course I want to stay here. It was just a gentleman’s agreement on my part.”