Alan Pardew has admitted he failed to convince Jermain Defoe to sign for Crystal Palace over Sunderland.
Defoe has rubber-stamped his move to Wearside from Toronto FC, with Pardew conceding Palace were forced out of the race for the former England striker.
Palace have secured Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo on loan with new Eagles boss Pardew aiming to sign another striker during the January transfer window.
The former Newcastle manager grudgingly admitted Defoe''s goal scoring prowess could ease Sunderland out of the Barclays Premier League relegation battle.
It seems Defoe simply doesn''t like the Palace boss ... he snubbed TWO offers to join Newcastle during Pardew''s time in the hot seat.
Alan Pardew: "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.
"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."
Pardew managed Defoe at West Ham before the prolific striker moved to Tottenham.