Crystal Palace must pay going rate for 'right player', says Sam Allardyce

By Nick Lustig

Image: Sam Allardyce is looking to strengthen his Crystal Palace squad this month

Sam Allardyce admits Crystal Palace may have to pay whatever is necessary if they identify the "right player" during the January transfer window.

Allardyce revealed following his side's goalless FA Cup third round draw at Bolton on Saturday that he will discuss his transfer plans with chairman Steve Parish in the next couple of days.

The 62-year-old also confirmed he had already been given an assurance from Parish that funds would be made available to him, but stressed extortionate price tags could make the process of brokering deals difficult.

"I saw a lot of players for the first time which gives me an indication, when I speak to the chairman next week, on what I think we need," said Allardyce, who replaced Alan Pardew as Palace boss in December.

Image: Palace were held to a 0-0 draw by Sky Bet League One Bolton on Saturday

"We shall have some money to spend but it will have to be more than a bit at this level now because the prices of players are astronomically high, particularly players in this country.

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"We will have to pay what we have to pay if we can identify the right player which makes us better."

Palace were without the injured Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast, for their stalemate at the Macron, with Allardyce electing to pick a much-changed side that included fit-again Loic Remy.

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The draw also left Allardyce still looking for his first victory as Palace manager, having previously overseen the draw against Watford and defeats to Arsenal and Swansea.

Palace travel to West Ham next Saturday in the Premier League before welcoming Bolton to Selhurst Park for their replay and Allardyce believes he has enough resources to be able to cope with the two competitions.

Image: Allardyce will meet with Palace chairman Steve Parish this week to discuss his transfer plans

"We had nine players out - two on international duty and seven injured," Allardyce added.

"I had enough squad players to play in the FA Cup with experience and talent so the longer we go on that way the more encouraging it might be.

"The players who haven't played for a while needed this game, needed to play 90 minutes of very competitive football.

"But as long as I have the 11, 12, 14 I need for the Premier League, that is most important."

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