Southampton are the most likely Premier League destination for Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong, The Telegraph says of the reported West Ham United, Norwich City and Everton target.
How on earth did a Blackburn side containing the mercurial talents of Harvey Elliott, Joe Rothwell and former Germany international Lewis Holtby – not to mention arguably the most exciting striker in the entire division – finish 15th in the Championship last season?
If such a question has left you baffled, you’re not alone.
And if Rovers were guilty of such dramatic underperformance while Armstrong was scoring goals for fun at Ewood Park, life without the one-time Newcastle youngster doesn’t bear thinking about.
Unfortunately, with Armstrong unlikely to extend a contract that expires in 2022, that’s a reality Blackburn are facing up to.
Will Southampton win the race for Blackburn striker Adam Armstrong?
What’s more, The Telegraph believes the Tyneside-born 24-year-old could be sold for as little as £10 million – half the price Blackburn were demanding in February when West Ham manager David Moyes made his interest known.
With the Hammers seemingly looking at alternative options – making an offer for Cagliari’s Giovanni Simeone recently – Southampton have now raced to the front of the queue for Armstrong’s signature.
Comparisons will inevitably be drawn between Armstrong and Danny Ings – and understandably so. Like Southampton’s talismanic number nine, Armstrong is a speedy and skilful forward blessed with outstanding technique and an eye for the spectacular.
Ings, too, will be a free agent 12 months from now.
Southampton failed to win any of the nine games Ings missed through injury last season and it seems Ralph Hasenhuttl is determined to ease his over-reliance on the exit-linked England international.
Armstrong, having scored a career-best 29 times last season, including three hat-tricks, would be welcomed with open arms at St Mary’s.
Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich and Everton have also been linked recently too.
“It’s no surprise to me. I’ve had Adam before when he scored 20 goals, I think, for Coventry (during a loan spell),” under-fire Rovers manager Tony Mowbray told BT recently.
“(Armstrong) is a lad who practises off both feet every day. It’s no accident when you’re pretty good at what you do.
“Adam’s still a work in progress, he would have to say. He’s a brilliant kid and, when we’ve had some disappointing days, for such a young lad he’s the voice in the dressing room. That’s why he gets the captain’s armband sometimes.”
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