Saints are ready to rekindle their interest in Birmingham striker Che Adams.
The club made a move for the forward in January but were rebuffed by the Blues who were keen to ensure their star man remained with them for the rest of the season.
However, the Daily Echo understands that Saints have not been put off for long and are set to test Birmingham’s resolve with another offer this summer.
Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to add another striker to his squad for next season with at least one set to depart St Mary’s in the coming weeks.
Adams is the club’s top target in that position with the 22-year-old having caught the eye after a sparkling season in the Championship where he scored 22 goals for former Saints defender Garry Monk’s team.
The Daily Echo understands that Adams is one of several striking targets identified by Hasenhuttl and that if the Blues ask for a fee far in excess of Saints’ valuation that they will quickly move on.
Hasenhuttl has stressed the importance of getting deals done early this summer to the Saints board and they are determined to deliver for him.
They have already tied up a £14m move for Standard Liege winger Moussa Djenepo which should be officially unveiled in the next week once his work permit is secured.
If they could get a deal for Adams over the line before the squad is due to report back for pre-season training then it would be seen as a good result for the club.
Hasenhuttl is also believed to want at least one further addition, and potentially two if suitable deals can be found.
However, once the initial high priority signings are completed any further deals would depend on how successful the club are in moving players on.
With a bloated first team squad at Saints there is a clear need to sell this summer rather than just add to it.
A deal for Adams will not come cheap with Birmingham said to value him at around £15m.
Adams is a pacy and physical striker who started his career in non-league with Oadby Town and Ilkeston after being released by Coventry aged 14.
His goalscoring exploits saw him signed by Sheffield United, where he scored 15 times in 55 games, before Birmingham paid £2m to take him to St Andrew’s.
In three seasons with the Blues he has netted 38 times in 123 appearances but has really found form under the management of Monk.
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