Roy Hodgson is mounting an audacious bid to hijack his old club Fulham’s pursuit of Harrison Reed and sign him for Crystal Palace instead, according to the Football Insider.

The Whites were believed to be favourites to sign the former England under-20 international after an impressive loan spell at Craven Cottage culminated in promotion to the Premier League. Fulham hold an £8m option to make the deal permanent and Reed is eager to gain first-team football for the good of his career, something which Southampton feel unable to guarantee at this point. But Hodgson, an admirer of how Reed has flourished under Scott Parker, is ready to test Reed’s resolve to move to west London by submitting a similar bid.

The impish midfielder, frustrated by being restricted to just thirty appearances since breaking into the Southampton first-team picture back in 2013, has spent the last hree seasons on loan in the Championship. He had a dramatic impact on Fulham’s fortunes after returning from a calf injury to star during the second half of the season, adding bite and defensive solidity to a previously porous midfield. It remains to be seen whether the Eagles’ interest could persuade Reed to switch his final destination at this late stage.