The father of Crystal Palace youngster John Bostock insists he's not moving to Tottenham for money.

Bostock, the 16-year-old midfield starlet who became Palace's youngest-ever player last season, is on the verge of moving to White Hart Lane rather than continuing his football education in the Championship with the Eagles.

But Michael Brown insists the switch is not cash-motivated, and instead revealed his son could have joined Chelsea, or even Barcelona, rather than the north Londoners.

"If John was leaving Crystal Palace for money, he would have gone to the biggest and richest club in the world, which he could have done," Brown told the South London Press.

"You can name a big club in England rumoured to be interested in him and it's a fact. There was great interest from Barcelona but from a family point of view it was never an option because John wasn't going to leave London.

"But John turned down the richest club in the world and he chose instead to go to the club where he believes he will develop best.

"He's had a fantastic time at Palace. He's been at the club since the age of seven and has got a lot of great memories. He's got to thank everybody there for what's happened because if it wasn't for Palace he wouldn't be where he is today."