Chelsea: Patrick Bamford set to join Crystal Palace on season-long loan

Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford is reportedly close to joining Crystal Palace on loan for the 2015/16 campaign, according to a report in the Guardian.

Jose Mourinho is keen on the striker getting regular first-team experience in a Premier League club, and has thus sanctioned the move despite the young forward impressing on loan last season.

Bamford was named the Championship's player of the year after impressing with top quality performances while on loan at Middlesbrough. The England U21 international scored 17 goals in 44 appearances for the Teeside club helping them reach the play-off finals, which they eventually lost to Norwich City.

The report claims that the 21-year-old forward has already completed his medical with the Selhurst Park outfit and will become their second signing of the summer following the arrival of Yohan Cabaye from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Aitor Karanka was hoping that he could take the striker back to the Riverside Stadium for yet another season, but it is claimed that the Portuguese manager is keen to see his forward ply his trade in the Premier League, something which the Championship club's manager had also predicted earlier in the season.

"I don't think Patrick is coming because he showed everybody last season that he can play in the Premier League," Karanka told the Northern Echo.

"I am sure he has offers to play in the Premier League, and also to play in other countries," the former Real Madrid assistant manager added.

Bamford, who joined from Nottingham Forest in 2011, has just one year remaining on his current deal, but he has been offered a new long-term deal which he is expected to sign before completing his temporary switch to the Eagles.

The young English striker is set to become Chelsea's 12<sup>th casualty this season, with five players having left on a permanent basis, while six have left on temporary contracts.

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