IAIN Moody, Crystal Palace's sporting director, says the club's move for Tom Ince is in the balance.
Speculation about the England Under 21 winger's next destination has been feverish all day, with it seemingly being a battle between Stoke and Palace for his services.
And, with five hours until the transfer window closes, there are suggestions Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is becoming tired of the to-ing and fro-ing, and may pull the plug on any deal.
Moody is quoted by the Evening Standard as saying: "Ultimately we can't control what Blackpool want to do - Oyston is the man who has the whole deal in his hands. If we get to 10 o'clock and nothing is decided then he will be left with a choice of not keeping Tom or letting him come to us for a good chunk of money."
Palace have reportedly offered to pay £1m, to secure Ince on loan until the end of the season.
Stoke reportedly favoured a permanent deal, but Moody is also quoted as saying Palace are now the only team in the running.
