Southampton are moving to trump West Ham for Juventus striker Simone Zaza.
The Sun says new Saints boss Claude Puel has identified the £21.5 million-rated striker as the man to sprinkle some stardust on his frontline in his debut Premier League season.
Puel still has a large wad of cash burning a hole in his pocket from the £34m sale of Sadio Mane to Liverpool this summer.
But like The Hammers Saints will be looking for an initial loan deal before deciding whether to put up the cash to land Zaza on a permanent deal.
West Ham remain the favourites to land the Italy international and are ahead of the game – moving swiftly in light of injury to forwards Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll which has plunged their plans into turmoil.