Saints are set to secure a bumper fee for Matt Targett – and are poised to use the cash to seal a deal for Birmingham striker Che Adams.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Premier League new boys Aston Villa set their sights on a move for Targett to bolster their defence ahead of a return to the top flight.

Villa initially wanted to pay around £8m for Targett with add-ons but Saints have driven a hard bargain.

The Daily Echo understands that they are to receive around £16m for the 23-year-old, who is expected to complete a medical before concluding the formalities of a deal at the start of next week.

Saints will use the cash to attempt to get a deal for Adams over the line and are confident they can make it happen.

Birmingham have been resistant to Saints’ £14m offer, but with a little more to play with now following the sale of Targett the club are confident they can make a move happen for around £16m.

Though Saints are sad to see Targett leave, particularly given he has come through the club’s academy system, this would represent good business at St Mary’s.

Saints have Ryan Bertrand as first choice for the left back position and youngster Jake Vokins coming through.

Vokins is highly rated by Ralph Hasenhuttl and is likely to be given a chance to impress in pre-season before the Saints boss decides whether he needs to strengthen in that role or, as he hopes, stick with what he’s got.

Targett also wants the move as he is desperate for regular first team football at this stage of his career and knows he will likely remain behind Bertrand in the pecking order if the two were to start next season together in the Saints squad.

Hasenhuttl has been desperate to reinforce his attack and Adams has been at the top of his list of targets since Saints attempted to lure him away from Birmingham in the January transfer window.

Back then Saints were offering around £12m but the Blues were adamant they would be holding on to their top scorer until at least the end of the campaign.

Saints have been keen to get the deal done as soon as possible this summer but have baulked at the idea of going above their valuation, instead monitoring other targets.

However, a fee in the region of £16m would appear to be a fair compromise and Saints hope will secure Hasenhuttl a young striker with power, pace, proven goal scoring ability and plenty still to prove.