Roy Hodgson - the Crystal Palace manager - has played down the prospect of the Eagles signing Brentford winger Said Benrahama before the transfer window closes next month despite admitting interest in the 25-year-old.
The Brentford ace, who was absent for their opening day Championship defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday, has been heavily linked with a move away from the West London outfit after an outstanding 2019/20 campaign.
The Algerian played an instrumental role in Brentford's promotion push last season, scoring 17 goals and claiming nine assists in 43 Championship appearances.
It is that sort of quality that has led to a whole host of Premier League club's expressing an interest in landing his signature this summer, including the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.
Over the last few days, though, reports have escalated linking Palace with a move for the 25-year-old, with Hodgson believed to be keen on strengthening his attacking options before the deadline - a move that could be helped by the sale of Alexander Sorloth to RB Leipzig.
However, while admitting that Palace are interested in Benrahma, the former England boss has now rebuffed claims that the 25-year-old is close to sealing a move to Selhurst Park, admitting that there are other priorities to strengthen.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, Hodgson said: "I don't know [how advanced the Sorloth deal is]. It's a complicated transfer.
"It's in the hands of Steve Parish and Doug Freedman. I know about the bid and Leipzig are very keen - how far along the line that is and what it means for the club, you'd have to ask Steve Parish.
"At the moment [a move for Benrahma] is not something we've discussed at great length. The interest we would have would be totally dependent on the price because it's not really the priority area.
"It is not our priority. We're still looking to get another striker in, that is the priority.
"Maybe a wide midfielder, but how much funds we have I couldn't possibly tell you.
"We know that he's a good player, but not only we know he's a good player, a lot of other people know that he's a good player because he's shown it during the last two seasons.
"I have no intention to get involved with discussing his qualities. We'll see what happens, he's a player whose name has been mentioned, obviously a player that we do know, but there's going to have to be a lot happening before a concrete move can be possible."
