Saints are being linked with two strikers in the latest round of speculation in the media, but how accurate are the reports.

The first player being linked is not new news, it is Liverpool's Danny Ings whose name seems to crop up on a regular basis despite suggestions from sources near to the club that Saints are not interested, at least not at the price being quoted a few weeks ago.

However with Liverpool spending big and needing to clear the decks, that price might well be dropping and it could ignite a move from Saints.

according to a report from John Percy of The Telegraph, Ings has asked to leave Anfield after being told he is behind Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster in the pecking order for the strikers role in the side, when you are behind Sturridge then you know it's time to leave.

The report also claims that Saints will face competition from both Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.

The second player linked also has Liverpool connections Luis Alberto spent 3 seasons on Liverpool's books, but two of them saw him out on loan, firstly to Malaga and then Deportivo.

Neither season really saw him suggest to Liverpool that he might break into their side and when Lazio offered 4 million euros in the summer of 2016 they snatched their hands off.

His first season in the Eternal city was not a great success but last season he caught fire and in 47 appearances in all competitions he scored 12 goals and provided 21 assists and this has made him hot property.

Some reports have suggested that his value might be as high as 31 million euros, but the reality is that Saints might be looking at nearer 20 milion euros for a player who can play either as a winger, as a number 10 or even as an out and out forward.

Saints would possibly be looking to fund this by selling and Manolo Gabbiadini has been linked with a move back to Italy and could feature in any deal, again Newcastle are being linked.

Some may say it's strange that Newcastle always seem to be linked to the same players, it is probably no more than both clubs have strong ties to the same agency, that was the case a few years ago when we seemed to be linked to every player that Liverpool went for, however they ended up with Phillipe Coutinho and we got Vegard Forren who we supposedly snatched from a Liverpool hotel room as he prepared for a week's trial at Liverpool in January 2013.

Photo: Action Images

arthurfane added 10:13 - Jul 24 Luis Alberto - I remember him being pretty peripheral at Liverpool, and haven't heard of him much since, but 12 goals and 21 assists is a pretty phenomenal return last season so on that basis would be worth a shot. Not sure of his style of play, but do feel Saints need a pacey, direct winger in the style of Mane. Sisto would be that man I think.
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highfield49 added 10:24 - Jul 24 What happened to the Danny Welbeck rumours? Considering his experience in the EPL, goal scoring and assist capability and a contract expiring next year I thought he would be snapped up. In my view an improvement on just about every attacker we have on the books.Has he signed for another team or is he coming in under the radar?
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Keesie66 added 11:12 - Jul 24 If we are to buy any strikers then please let it be a renowned and successful one with a proven track record a good fitness track record and non of these lets say gambles (Carillo comes to mind)... how can any of the touted names be better than Gabbi or Austin there is nothing to prove that yet 30 million is being mentioned, come on wake up .... no more fake striker options please......

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Ron11 added 12:04 - Jul 24 Madness to let Gabbiadini go
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bstokesaint added 12:23 - Jul 24 I’m not sure that sure that 12 goals in 47 appearances constitutes “catching fire” per se and whilst I would never complain about signing attacking talent, we’ve not purchased much consistent attacking success since the days of Pelle and Mane. I think that is also due to the ‘style’ of play. For me Gabbi and Austin are natural goalscorers, but they’re not going to score anything without creativity behind them or getting good balls into the box. I genuinely lost count of the amount of times I heard Saints’ fans flippantly say “Messi wouldn’t have made a difference to the results” last season and to be honest I tend to agree. Without a Lambert or a Pelle to hold the ball up and without the attacking thinking in midfield or out wide it doesn’t really matter if you do have the best striker in the world! World class he might be, but he’s not a magician. Our lack of shots on goal tell the biggest story.

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bstokesaint added 12:23 - Jul 24 I’m not sure that sure that 12 goals in 47 appearances constitutes “catching fire” per se and whilst I would never complain about signing attacking talent, we’ve not purchased much consistent attacking success since the days of Pelle and Mane. I think that is also due to the ‘style’ of play. For me Gabbi and Austin are natural goalscorers, but they’re not going to score anything without creativity behind them or getting good balls into the box. I genuinely lost count of the amount of times I heard Saints’ fans flippantly say “Messi wouldn’t have made a difference to the results” last season and to be honest I tend to agree. Without a Lambert or a Pelle to hold the ball up and without the attacking thinking in midfield or out wide it doesn’t really matter if you do have the best striker in the world! World class he might be, but he’s not a magician. Our lack of shots on goal tell the biggest story.

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Keesie66 added 14:25 - Jul 24 bstokesaint ...... 100% agree that is why there is no point attracting 2nd rate strikers when we have really good strikers available.....look at England WC, great strikers up front but the clear opportunities were lacking, if you look at the combination work of the better teams the way they always seem to play direct and are 1 move ahead with a player already moving into the space then that is football. .... Last season Saints were way to predictable you missed the little 1,2's and triangles and it seemed that whoever was attacking (Redmond, Tadic, Boufal etc..) always needed that first touched to control, think and then move on, there is no time for that in modern day football .... MH has his work cut out but I do believe he has bought some more direct players to come in this season....

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BoondockSaint added 15:08 - Jul 24 So swap Gabbiadini for a Scouse castoff? Last year I would have worried about this, but it seems Hughes has brought some sanity back to our club.
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derbydog added 17:03 - Jul 24 Not Ings, not Welbeck, not Sturbridge, not Giroid. That’s not how do do business— we don’t buy players at the top of their financial curve, or in the case of Ings on the way down. We buy them when there is still a chance to add value. As in Mane in for 10 million out for 35. Yes, Carrillo isn’t the best example of that but Bouffan might still be exactly that if he catches fire in Spain.

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Jesus_02 added 17:05 - Jul 24 I would rather we spent a few quid on a 23 year old player that has scored 33 goals in 56 in L1 than a fortune on a 25yr old who has scored 12 in 47 in Italy. At least the wages would be reasonable and we would be able to shift them on to a championship side. Spend big or don't bother
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GeordieSaint added 18:04 - Jul 24 Apparently fernando Loriente is going to be sold by spurs. He has everything saints require and wouldn't cost the earth. Towards the end of his career but he is a genuine talent still.
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Keesie66 added 10:32 - Jul 25 And how do Fulham beat us to Schurle? Arguably a much higher profile player than we have ever signed but nevertheless likely affordable and a quality player.... I like the Llorente suggestion GeordieSaint .......
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arthurfane added 09:23 - Jul 26 Interesting quotes from Romeu in an article on the DE: "Our coaching sessions last season weren’t very long but we’re spending more time [in training] now". Seems the players really thought very little of Pellegrino; nice bloke, rubbish manager. Agree with GeordieSaint - Llorente could be the Pelle-like striker we're missing. Him (or Bas Dost in an ideal world) and a winger and I'd be very, very happy with this window. Think Armstrong is just the kind of hard working, creative player we need. Hope Moi will be a big success too - my Basel supporting friend thinks he's a huge talent.

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