Roy Hodgson on what transfer target Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke would add to Crystal Palace side

BY SAM SMITH

Roy Hodgson feels transfer target Dominic Solanke would improve Crystal Palace’s attacking options.

Eagles chairman Steve Parish hinted during a BeIN interview before today’s defeat by Chelsea that the 21-year-old Liverpool striker was a possibility. Parish, when asked if Solanke would be joining the club in the January transfer window, said: “For once, the papers are not far off.”

But Hodgson is keen to just see the deal over the line before discussing Solanke in depth.

“First of all we have got to make certain that we do bring him in,” said the 71-year-old.

“If Steve [Parish] has mentioned that then it’s obviously no secret that he is a target of ours and is someone who we would like to add. What will he do for us? He will provide an attacking threat, like a good centre forward should provide. He will provide the things that, frankly, we were lacking today.

“He’s very much a proven goalscorer through all the age groups at Chelsea and with England. If he does indeed come here it would be a good chance for him to prove that he can transfer that to Premier League football.

“I know him better from his time in the England set-up. At the time when he went to Liverpool I thought he was a very good signing from their point of view. He’s being kept out of their team but he’s being kept out by some very strong players. It would take some player to knock their front three of their perch.”

Hodgson refused to go into depth on the details of any potential deal for the former Chelsea academy forward. Instead, suggesting those wishing to know should speak to Parish or the club’s sporting director Dougie Freedman.

“I don’t know the details and I wouldn’t want to go into the details because I have not been doing the deal. If you want a chat on what the deal is then you will have to speak to Dougie Freedman or Steve Parish.

“Steve Parish, the chairman, has – in an interview today – given out the fact, I suppose. I’m not prepared to go into any detail.”