Palace boss claims Clyne verdict is huge

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman believes the fee Southampton pay for Nathaniel Clyne should reflect his experience.

The Saints signed the England Under-21 full back last week but were unable to agree a fee with the Eagles - meaning it will be decided by a tribunal. Freedman wants a fair price for the 21-year-old, who made 139 appearances in his time at Selhurst Park, and has ramped up the stakes by suggesting the future of Football League clubs having academies rests on the verdict. "His contract ran out," Freedman said. "Clyney was offered a contract that would have made him the highest earner here. "He refused it which is his prerogative. We've had him from a very young age and we've grown him. I think he'll go on to play for England. "We can be very proud of what we've done. The rules are the rules and we need to abide by them. "If you can't agree a fee for a player under 23, you go to a tribunal. "If a Premier League club offer him big money, that's fine but we need to be compensated appropriately. "If we're not then the whole of the Football League will look into whether their academies are worthwhile."