Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew admits he was keen to sign Jermain Defoe.

The Toronto FC striker is set to join Sunderland.

"I think it's a good move for Sunderland to have secured Jermain, I think he's a goal scorer and Gus (Poyet) will be the first to tell you they need more goals," said Pardew.

"So it's a good signing for them.

"We tried to get Defoe, but probably a bit late in the loop on that one.

"I wouldn't say we were that close, no.

"It never really got to the stage where I got to speak to Jermain, so I would say we were not that close."