Southampton are ready to include Michael Obafemi in their bid for Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong.

The Sun says Republic of Ireland hotshot Obafemi is fancied by Rovers boss Tony Mowbray — and that may be an ace card for Saints.

Goal machine Armstrong is valued at £25million by Blackburn and that is far more than Southampton are willing to pay, with an opening suggestion of around £8m.

However, if Obafemi, 21, is put in the deal with extra cash then the move may yet have a chance of going through.

Mowbray knows he cannot lose top-scorer Armstrong, 24, without a replacement as he is also in the last year of his contract and trying to stay in the job.