Crystal Palace have moved quickly to deny claims that teenage midfielder John Bostock has joined Tottenham.

Spurs claimed the 16-year-old starlet had agreed terms to join the Premier League club while the player himself expressed his delight at having made the move to White Hart Lane.

But Palace issued a statement on their website shortly after, insisting Bostock was still a Palace player.

The statement read: "Contrary to reports from Tottenham Hotspur regarding John Bostock joining the north London club, Crystal Palace would like to announce that no agreement has been reached for the services of the 16-year-old and he is still registered with Crystal Palace Football Club."

Bostock is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the country, having come through the ranks at Selhurst Park before making his debut for the Eagles against Watford in October 2007.

His progress was interrupted by a desire to complete his GCSE exams, but Spurs were suitably impressed by what they had already seen to follow up their initial interest.

Bostock is valued at £5 million, but a tribunal will decide a fee if nothing can be agreed.

Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli said on his club's official website: "We are very pleased that John has decided to join us. We know he has the talent but we also know he is only 16 and so we will not rush him. He will have time to develop and will be working within a very talented development squad."

Bostock added on the Spurs website: "I am definitely ready to make this move and Spurs is the team I wanted to join. I feel this is a club with a great future and this is where I want to be to develop my potential and improve as a player."

Mike Hytner / Eurosport