Saints are hoping that Boca Juniors will finally make a firm offer for Guido Carrillo.

The Argentinian striker, who has been a flop since his club record £19m move from Monaco, is surplus to requirements at Saints.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the club are keen to try and secure a permanent move away for Carrillo this summer rather than just another loan.

Last season Mauricio Pellegrino, the former Saints boss who brought Carrillo to St Mary’s, swooped to take him on a year-long loan at Leganes.

While that moved the problem another season down the line, Saints are now desperate to shift on some of their high earners, not only to free up wages for potential new signings but also allow a pathway to the first team for younger players.

So far this summer Saints have only managed to sell three players in the shape of Matt Targett, Sam Gallagher and Jordy Clasie.

Getting rid of Carrillo would be a huge boost for Saints but finding somebody willing to pay a decent fee for the forward, and then make him a decent contract offer when the 28-year-old still has two years left on a lucrative deal at St Mary’s, is tricky.

Boca Juniors have held an interest in Carrillo for some time, but it seemed initially to be a non-starter as the striker wished to stay in Europe.

But with a lack of offers on the table and only a fortnight of the transfer window remaining that could be about to change.

Reports in Argentina suggest that Boca are set to table a firm offer for Carrillo.

They will know that Saints are in an extremely weak negotiating position but, though taking a very hefty cut on the fee paid for Carrillo is embarrassing, there is a sense at St Mary’s that it just needs to happen so everybody can move on.

Carrillo’s father and agent, Marcelo, told an Argentinian newspaper: "I do not want to talk much because I do not know what will happen. Initially the idea was to continue in Spain, but the decision will be made by Guido.

"I don't know what can happen or where Guido is going to play. Today he is at Southampton waiting for his future to be resolved and he has two more years of contract.”