Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has revealed they had a deal for Michy Batshuayi when he was still with Olympique Marseille.
Writing in his Palace match programme notes, Parish declared: "I had a deal agreed to buy him before he joined Chelsea and we have since kept a detailed eye on his progress, all with a view to bringing him here at some point.
"With so many clubs interested, discussions went to the wire, so well done to Iain and Dougie in finalising a complex international transfer in record time.
"I'm delighted that Michy decided to join us at Palace."