Saints are hoping to make Spanish international striker Juanmi their first summer signing – but face competition for his signature from at least four other Premier League clubs.

Saints are prepared to meet the £5m buyout clause in the 22-year-old Malaga forward’s contract to bring him to St Mary’s.

However, they are in a fight to secure his services with the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, West Ham and Liverpool, as well as Real Socieded in Spain, also tracking Juanmi, whose full name is Juan Miguel Jimenez Lopez.

Saints are understood to be optimistic of their chances of persuading Juanmi to switch to St Mary’s, but the Daily Echo understands that reports that a deal is done barring a medical are premature.

Malaga are believed to be resigned to losing Juanmi, but will battle for the full €7m of his buyout clause, and most if not all of it upfront, as they try and net some much needed cash to help their tricky financial situation.

Saints are in the market for another attacking force to give them alternative options, and hopefully add more goals to the squad.

It will be particularly important given the extra demands of the Europa League, which means Graziano Pelle being able to play every game next season is unlikely.

Juanmi was born and raised in Malaga and came through the club’s youth system.

He became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer when he netted aged just 16 in a Copa del Rey match in 2010 and went on to graduate permanently from the Malaga B side to the first team.

At the same time he won back-to-back under-19 European Championship trophies with Spain.

After a promising start to his career Juanmi struggled for consistent game time and was loaned out to Spanish second tier side Racing Santander in 2013. He didn’t enjoy a productive spell though as he failed to score as the team were relegated.

However, upon his return to Malaga he started to again find favour, and goals, and his form was such that he won his first full cap for Spain with Vicente del Bosque starting him in a 2-0 friendly defeat against the Netherlands.

His club career stats show he has scored 20 goals in 102 appearances.