EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Crystal Palace have lodged an £11m bid for Brentford attacker Ollie Watkins, Football Insider understands.

A Palace source has told Football Insider the club have held a long-term interest in the versatile forward and they have firmed up their interest with a formal offer.

Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is desperate to bolster his side’s attacking options before the close of the transfer window and he hopes to bring Watkins to Selhurst Park.

Watkins is regarded as one of the best young prospects outside the Premier League after catching the eye at Brentford since his arrival from Exeter in 2017.

He impressed again last season for Brentford with 12 goals and nine assists and he has been continually linked with a move to the Premier League.

Brentford are reluctant to lose Watkins this summer as they look to keep hold of their best players in a bid to mount a promotion challenge to the Premier League this season.

In other Crystal Palace news, it can be REVEALED that the club have had a bid rejected for 25-year-old.