Chelsea are planning to splash out £2 million to seal a deal for Crystal Palace teenager John Bostock.

The People says owner Roman Abramovich has given the go-ahead to spend big on the youngest player in Palace's history.

Palace fear Bostock will leave them rather than sign a pro contract next month - the earliest date when the schoolboy can put pen to paper for them.

And rather than risk a tribunal there could be a sale agreed in the next few days.

Bostock could fetch a huge sum because he is rated the best English player of his age.

But the dilemma for Palace is whether to take the guaranteed cash now, take a chance that he walks - or persuade him to stay.