Patrick van Aanholt: Crystal Palace 'very close' to signing Sunderland defender

Van Aanholt joined Sunderland from Vitesse Arnhem

Crystal Palace have tried to sign "20 to 30 players" during the transfer window, says manager Sam Allardyce.

Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt is "very close" to joining the Eagles after the two clubs agreed a deal for the Netherlands international that could be worth as much as £14m.

Allardyce said he hoped to sign two players before the transfer window closes at 23:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Palace are 18th in the Premier League table, two points from safety.

Allardyce said Van Aanholt, who he managed at Sunderland, provided "great energy".

He added: "He will increase the speed and energy levels of the squad. If everything goes well, I look forward to him joining me again."

Van Aanholt, 26, started his career at Chelsea but was sent out on loan to five different clubs.

He agreed a permanent switch to the Stadium of Light in 2014 and has made 95 appearances for the Black Cats.

Allardyce, who said Palace had received no bids for any of their players, added there are further targets the club are "hopeful" of signing.

"There are several," he said, denying Norwich midfielder Robbie Brady and Lille defender Ibrahim Amadou are among them.

"But there are many deals we haven't got done, which we've tried to do. It's become very expensive to do business."