The Saints forward has been ruled out of action for four months with a dislocated shoulder.
The news that Southampton striker Charlie Austin has been ruled out of action until April with a dislocated shoulder is a huge blow for both the player and the Saints from an attacking perspective.
The former Queens Park Rangers forward suffered the injury in Southampton’s UEFA Europa League clash with Hapoel Be’er Sheva last Thursday night.
The 27-year-old has rediscovered his top-flight scoring touch under Claude Puel this term, scoring nine goals in all competitions this season.
Austin’s loss will be a worry for Puel, with strike partner Shane Long yet to score this campaign. Jay Rodriguez is waiting in the wings to take over the goal-scoring burden, but should Southampton look for other reinforcements, who can they turn to with top-flight pedigree?
Leonardo Ulloa
The Foxes forward has played just 98 minutes of league football this term since the arrival of Islam Slimani from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.
Having not made an appearance for Claudio Ranieri in over a month now, the Argentine has firmly fallen down the pecking order at the King Power Stadium.
The Argentine who made the £8million switch from Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2014 – as reported by BBC Sport – has scored 17 goals in 70 appearances for the club.
A move for Ulloa to the south coast could suit both parties, albeit as a loan deal. The striker has sought regular league game time for some time now and could deputise for Austin more than ably in the Saints’ system.
Arouna Kone
Having brought in manager Ronald Koeman in the summer from Southampton, Everton could be willing to build bridges by parting ways with the Toffees forward who has become surplus to requirements on Merseyside.
A proven Premier League goal-scorer and creator, the Ivorian has played just a handful of games this term. In his debut season for Wigan Athletic in 2012/13, the 33 year-old amassed 11 goals for the Latics.
After switching to Everton, Kone scored five times and assisted on a further four occasions last term, including a hat-trick last November against Sunderland.
A player still with a turn of pace and physicality, the striker would thrive off the service of Nathan Redmond, Dusan Tadic and Sofiane Boufal, just as Charlie Austin has.
Kone would also only set Southampton back around £5million. Shrewd business?
Simone Zaza
One option which on paper would seem a way off is a move for West Ham’s Italian forward. Since arriving in England on loan from Juventus, the 25-year-old has failed to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League, let alone score a single goal.
A move would seem an unlikely one, however given the emergence of Graziano Pelle on the south coast two seasons ago, could his compatriot enjoy a more fruitful life in different, less pressured surroundings?
Slaven Bilic is currently stuck between a rock and hard place with his striker, in the knowledge that should the Italian international reach ten appearances (currently eight games in) the the Hammers are obligated to trigger his release clause in the region of £18million, as The Express report.
Zaza’s start to life has hardly been spectacular in the English top flight, but if Southampton can agree a deal back in Italy, a punt on the forward could be no worse than that of Dani Osvaldo’s turbulent time at the club.
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