Southampton in pole position to beat Prem rivals to bargain striker

Adam Armstrong Blackburn

Southampton are reportedly set to beat a host of their Premier League rivals to the signing of Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong.

Armstrong, 24, has attracted attention from a number of top-flight clubs following an impressive campaign in the Championship. He bagged 28 goals in 40 league appearances despite featuring for a Blackburn side that finished in the bottom-half of the table. Only promotion-winning Brentford’s Ivan Toney scored more than Armstrong.

Not only is he a hot prospect, but he also has just one year remaining on his contract. Consequently, he is available for a bargain fee this summer.

West Ham are one side that were rumoured to be very keen on the prospect of picking up Armstrong. They are in need of a striker this summer to replace Sebastien Haller, who left for Ajax in January.

Another team that have also been linked are his old side Newcastle. Armstrong came through the ranks at the Magpies before being sold to Blackburn in 2018.

Further Premier League outfits Everton and Brighton were said to be interested too.

However, the Saints are in pole position to beat them all to the signing after making a breakthrough in discussions.

That’s according to Football Insider, who report that the forward is wanting to swap Ewood Park for St Mary’s Stadium.

It is understood that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will pay a fee of just over £10m to get the deal done.

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It comes as great news for Southampton after yesterday discovering that star man Danny Ings has turned down a new contract offer.

Ings was presented with a four-year contract that would make him the club’s highest paid player ever. However, he has rejected it in favour of a move to a bigger club.

In signing Armstrong, they would have a ready-made replacement for their talisman.

Ings just as sought after as Armstrong

Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor feels Dean Smith should look to sign Ings following his rejection of a new Saints contract.

After Sky Sports had reported Ings’ refusal to extend his Southampton stay, Football Daily posted the news on their Instagram page.

They asked fans which team they felt should try to capture the former Burnley man. And the man who made 391 appearances for the Villans simply replied ‘Aston Villa’.

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