Saints haven’t given up hope of landing Gary Hooper – and could smash their club record transfer fee to land him this month.

Celtic have already turned down two bids from Saints for their star striker, the last reaching up to £4m.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon has insisted he has no intention of selling Hooper, and even slapped a £35m price tag on his head, but it is understood a £6m offer would seriously tests Celtic’s resolve.

Saints are believed to be considering a bid of that sum and could offer Hooper, who has said he is content in Scotland, a bumper pay deal to try and tempt him down to the south coast.

If the bid was accepted and Hooper did become a Saints player, the fee would smash the club’s current transfer record which is the £4m they paid for Rory Delap in 2001.

See today's Southern Daily Echo for full story.