CRYSTAL PALACE: 'My conversations with Bolasie remain private' - says Pardew

Top of the agenda was the transfer gossip surrounding the possible signing of Christian Benteke, and departure of Yannick Bolasie.

However, the manager – who kicks off the new season at home to West Brom this weekend – remained tight-lipped.

He did hint that he wanted to recruit a maximum of two more players, unless one player goes in the other direction.

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“We've got nothing concrete to announce today, other than a lot of rumours,” he said.

“Nothing that's going to happen before the weekend.

“We've added three players, who I think will take us forward, and, without having a transfer out, we will hopefully bring in two more.”

He added: “Yannick is contracted here. He's a great player & a great person, I love him. We'll treat him with the utmost respect in any situation.

“Bolasie, and my conversations with him, will stay private.”

Pardew has warned Palace fans to be ready for a season of transition, and while he reckons change is good, he insisted the Palace ethos will not be lost.

He said: “I've tried to be transparent because our fans deserve that. When they walk in that stadium they will see a stronger team this year.

“But we want to take the club forward in a manner where we don't lose the spirit and the soul of this football club.

“There's only one way for us and that's to improve and get better. Change is good. This is going to be a team in transition this season.”

He added: “This club has grown massively. We're in unprecedented territory - our fourth year in the top division.”