Premier League Crystal Palace launch shock raid for Portsmouth keeper Alex Bass

The Premier League outfit want the emerging young academy graduate after his promising emergence at Fratton Park this season.

And sources in south London indicate talks are progressing over a multi-million pound move to the capital for the 22-year-old.

The move could potentially generate the kind of funds to allow Kenny Jackett to overhaul his squad in the wake of another play-off disappointment.

And the fact Pompey tied Bass down to a new contract until the summer of 2023 at the start of the year, puts them in a strong bargaining position to maximise a return on his talent.

Palace are in the market for a young keeping talent, with all of their first-team options between the sticks well over 30.

Stephen Henderson is back-up to Wayne Hennessey and Vicente Guaita at Selhurst Park, and worked with Bass when returning to Fratton Park on loan from Nottingham Forest in 2018.

The level-headed keeper has made a big impression since being given a run in the first team by Jackett, after surprisingly usurping Craig MacGillivray between the sticks on New Year’s Day.

It was a decision which was justified as he shone through an unbroken run of league games since the start of 2020, taking his first-team total to 29 appearances since his first-team debut in 2016.

Bass found himself under the spotlight this week, however, following the calamitous goal which proved central to Pompey’s downfall in the play-offs against Oxford United.

James Henry’s corner found its way into the net via the head of Ellis Harrison at the Kassam Stadium, following a mix-up with the striker and keeper.

Bass was later cleared of any blame for the goal, with TV cameras picking up his call for the ball as it came into the six-yard box.

That game could now to be his final outing as a Pompey player with a surprise move to the top flight his destination, as recruitment staff mark him down as one of the most promising keepers outside the Premier League.

Pompey would not necessarily need to reinvest the profit generated on another keeper, with MacGillivray ready to reclaim his No1 spot whenever the new season starts.

Jackett also has two promising young keepers in his ranks, in the shape of giant American stopper Duncan Turnbull and third-year scholar Taylor Seymour.

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