Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has used his first press conference of the Premier League season to announce… nothing.
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.
BLOG: Benteke a perfect addition but the real transfer coup is striking huge deal with Everton
“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.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here