SOUTHAMPTON are making a surprise £7million bid for Crystal Palace fringe man Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Promoted Saints have also asked Eagles chiefs about taking the exciting 21-year-old attacker on loan if a permanent deal is not on the table.
Palace would demand much more for Rak-Sakyi, who scored a superb goal in a friendly against Charlton on Friday, and do not want to lose him.
But a bigger bid and the chance of the youngster playing more regularly in the Prem may swing the transfer.
Shocked Palace had planned to send Rak-Sakyi to the Championship for a year after an injury-hit campaign.
Hull City have made the best wage offer, but the Saints’ interest has muddied the waters.
Palace have already lost one winger this summer as Michael Olise made a high-profile exit.
The French ace left the club in a £49.5m deal to join Vincent Kompany‘s Bayern Munich.
Olise’s departure has been softened by the arrival of attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada on a free transfer from Lazio.
The club is also braced for interest in other star players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi.
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Guehi impressed at Euro 2024 for England and has gained admirers such as Liverpool and Arsenal.
Eze, on the other hand, is reportedly a target for Ange Postecoglou‘s Tottenham Hotspur.
Since gaining promotion back to the Prem, Southampton have been busy strengthening the squad.
Russell Martin has welcomed back Flynn Downes and Taylor Harwood-Bellis on permanent deals.
The club has also signed Japanese international Yukinari Sugawara, Nathan Wood from Swansea and Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough.
Experienced stars Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor have also moved to St Mary’s on free transfers.
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Brentford are ready to slash their asking price for Ivan Toney to less than £50million due to a lack of interest, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Manuel Ugarte, who is keen to leave PSG this summer.
And SunSport also reveal Tottenham are looking to hijack Fulham’s move for Scott McTominay, who Ugarte would be replacing in midfield.
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