Crystal Palace eye transfer raid on relegated Southampton for new striker after Arsenal snub approaches for two stars

CRYSTAL PALACE boss Roy Hodgson wants Southampton striker Che Adams as Jean-Philippe Mateta heads for the exit.

Hodgson is keen to recruit the experienced Scotland star who can leave relegated Saints for the right price and also interests Wolves and Bournemouth.

Getty

Che Adams is wanted by Crystal Palace after scoring the winner in Southampton’s Championship bow[/caption]

Reuters

Palace boss Roy Hodgson is ready to let Jean-Philippe Mateta leave to get Adams[/caption]

Adams, 27, who hit the winner at Sheffield Wednesday after coming on as a late sub on Friday, is the kind of strong frontrunner that Hodgson could do with.

And he will also be needed if Mateta, 26, moves in this window.

RB Leipzig are keen on Mateta while Italians Genoa had an offer rejected. Hodgson would happily upgrade the hitman.

Palace could do the Adams deal if they sell Mateta for a similar price. Both are in the £15million range.

Eagles have had no encouragement at all from Arsenal in a bid to get Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah.

Now Adams has moved up their wanted list.

Hodgson is after four new players after landing Matheus Franca, a signing we first revealed was Palace’s priority in April.

Palace would also like Chelsea left-back Lewis Hall on loan.

DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE

But they are wary about making a move because Michael Olise is on the Stamford Bridge radar and they do not want to open that door.

Olise is happy to stay at Palace but a huge Chelsea offer could change that. The Eagles fear late movement for their best players.