Crystal Palace have had an improved bid turned down for Lille defender Ibrahim Amadou.

The Eagles offered £16m to the French club to bring Amadou to Selhurst Park earlier this month.

And reports claim a bid in excess of £16m has been knocked back by Lille.

Palace need cover in defence after Scott Dann was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Another first-choice centre-half Mamadou Sakho has been plagued with a calf injury since December.

And Amadou, who was the subject of interest from Palace 12 months ago, could solve boss Roy Hodgson's defensive crisis.

The 24-year-old, who can also play in midfield, is a former France Under-19 international.