By Paul Holmes
August 4 2002

Crystal Palace have had an offer for Brentford defender Darren Powell accepted. Palace boss Trevor Francis is a big fan of the talented centre back and has previously had an offer of £400,000 rejected by Brentford.

However Palace's second offer of £750,000 proved too good to resist and Powell looks set to leave Griffin Park.

Powell was a key member of last season's team that came so close to gaining promotion of the 2nd Division but were defeated by Stoke City in the play-off final. That team has now been broken up with Llyod Owusu, Paul Gibbs, Paul Evans, Ivar Ingarmarsson and now Powell all leaving the London club as the club try to ease their financial problems.

The-26-year old is now set to hold talks with Francis over a possible move to Selhurst Park. Following the big money sale of Clinton Morrison, Francis has money to spend and had already brought in Shaun Derry from Portsmouth since Morrison's departure.

Brentford boss Wally Downes revealed the reason for accepting the offer. "Palace have made a bid and the club has accpted. I don't think there will be any problems over the terms but it has to be right for the player."

I didn't want to talk him round because he deserves to play at a bigger club and on a higher stage."