The Birmingham City striker, Adams, is said to have been Southampton’s number one striker target.
Southampton are ‘moving closer to a move’ for the Spezia striker, David Okereke, having grown frustrated in their pursuit of the Nigerian’s Birmingham City counterpart, Che Adams, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims Adams was Ralph Hasenhuttl’s number one target to strengthen his Southampton front line, having scored or made 27 goals for Birmingham last season.
But it adds that negotiations with the Blues have failed to reach a positive conclusion, prompting the Saints to turn instead to Okereke.
And they have now ‘lined up a £15 million deal’ for the 21-year-old, according to The Sun.
Okereke scored or made five goals less than Adams did last season (22), although he did make 15 fewer appearances.
And he looks certain to move this summer, after Spezia failed to achieve promotion via the Serie B play-offs.
A string of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace, although the newspaper suggests it is now Southampton who ‘look to be in pole position to land him’.
Nevertheless, it is not inconceivable that the story has been circulated by either the Saints or an agent, looking to put pressure on Birmingham over Adams.
Would Okereke be a better signing than the Birmingham striker would for Southampton?
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