Palace Patino bid rejected

Last updated : 29 January 2005 By Nik Taylor

Palace have had an audacious bid for River Plate midfielder Jairo Patino rejected – though the player’s agent believes the transfer may still go through in the summer.

Iain Dowie offered a massive £2.75 million for the Colombian internation, but his club have decided to hang onto him for the time being.

Of course, it’s also possible Patino simply wants to wait and see whether Palace are still a Premiership club come June.

"My great desire to succeed at River remains, I am not bothered River has rejected the offer of Crystal Palace," Patino told Ole.

"I like a lot the English football, I watch it on TV and I see myself playing there.

"I do not know in what team, but in the future I will be able it to play there.

Patino's agent, Marcelo Betnaza, said: "The decision now was to turn down the offer, but the doors are open to talk again in June."