Saints eye January move for out-of-favour Barca forward

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino is desperate to add firepower to his strikeforce after scoring a measly five goals in seven Premier League games so far this season.

Southampton have been linked with Paco Alcacer, who has been told he can leave the Camp Nou despite Barcelona paying around £27 million for the striker in the summer of 2016.

Ernesto Valverde has not selected the 24-year-old since the 2-0 win over Alaves on August 26, but the Spaniard could favour a move to St. Mary's after netting six times in 23 appearances for La Liga giants.

Alcacer boasts a more impressive goalscoring record with former side Valencia (30 goals in 93 games), and has also notched six times in 13 matches for his country.