Saints are hoping to sign Birmingham striker Che Adams before the transfer window slams shut on Thursday.

The 22-year-old forward is rated at around £10m and is understood to be the top target for Saints in the coming days.

Adams has been on terrific form for the Blues this season, scoring 14 goals in 30 games for the Championship club to attract the attention of a host of Premier League sides.

However, it is Saints who have jumped to the front of the queue and are hoping to convince Birmingham to part with their star forward.

It remains to be seen whether Adams’ potential arrival will spark the exit of Charlie Austin.

The 29-year-old is the subject of interest from a number of clubs with just 18 months remaining on his Saints contract.

The Daily Echo understands that Saints would be open to the idea of Austin moving on if he felt it was best for his career, but only want a permanent transfer and not a loan at this stage.

Adams is a pacy and physical striker who started his career in non-league with Oadby Town and Ilkeston after being released by Coventry aged 14.

His goalscoring exploits saw him signed by Sheffield United, where he scored 15 times in 55 games, before Birmingham paid £2m to take him to St Andrew’s.

In two-and-a-half seasons with the Blues he has netted 30 times in 105 appearances but has really found form under the management former Saints defender Garry Monk.

Adams perfectly fits the bill of the type of signing that Ralph Hasenhuttl wants as he reshapes his squad.

Speaking to the Daily Echo last week he said: “It is more important to find the right size of this squad and afterwards bringing in some new players for the future, young players, they sign their first or second contract in their life and grow with us in this next step of development to get better and maybe launch a superstar.”