THE art of completing a transfer deal seems relatively simple, doesn't it? You bid, they accept. You offer, they sign. You announce, they cheer. Easily done!
The reality, however, isn't quite as simple. Negotiations can take time. Contract discussions can become contract chit-chats. The FA can dilly-dally and, as the matter drags on, the typical Palace emotion that you've missed out on another player begins to eat away at you.
As a keen Twitter user, this was the overriding feeling as the days passed following Steve Parish's suggestion on Thursday that the club might be signing two players.
The agitation that followed as the clock ticked and the days passed became unbearable. Not because of the wait but because of the shuddering impatience that people sometimes have.
Of course it's frustrating to have to wait for a deal to be completed. Especially when Parish said the deal should go through on Monday. But the key word is 'should' – transfer deals aren't simple – especially with the vast sums of money involved.
The state of the game today means that a club's immediate and medium-term future can hang by the thread of a multi-million pound transfer deal.
Perhaps it would be better if Parish didn't tweet about transfer news. But the other side to the coin is that supporters constantly ask him if there are any potential deals being negotiated. A chairman can't win even if he makes comments in good faith.
And yet, as the clock ticked away, news organisations were reporting that the deal had been completed.
Palace fans aching for news were appeased with the announcement that Stephen Dobbie had signed a two-year deal, arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Parish then suggested that there had been a hitch but that it would hopefully be gone by Wednesday morning. And then it happened. The deal! The announcement! The reality!
Dwight Gayle had agreed to sign a four-year deal with Palace. Not only that, but the club have supposedly broken their transfer record to secure him. A record which stood since French centre-back Valerien Ismaël arrived in 1996.
Signing a player for a vast sum of money is a risk – but Gayle has a strong pedigree for goals and a great reputation – two elements of a deal that make the risk a worthy one.
With 12 clubs vying for his signature according to Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, it shows intent from the club and an ability to draw a player in demand.
Signing a player isn't simple but patience is; and it makes transfer news so much more enjoyable.