With Ralph Hasenhuttl stating that he expects to bring a striker in before the transfer deadline on Thursday , it is not surprising that we will be linked with all and sundry, but whoever he signs for could signal a chain reaction to benefit Saints.

Saints are one of the names said to be in the frame to sign Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers, the Chilean International who was actually born in Stoke On Trent, which is possibly as far fetched from Chile as you can get, is being linked to a number of clubs.

Everton are perhaps the favourites, but Brereton Diaz in not believed to be their number one target.

Aside from Saints & Everton, Aston Villa, Brighton & West Ham are also linked, although I would think that the Hammers after recent summer signings are well served up front now, likewise Aston Villa, but of they signed the 23 year old then it could start a chain reaction, Danny Ings on loan could then be a potential.

Likewise Everton, they would rather have Armando Broja, but if they fail to land him then they might for Brereton Diaz, however that would leave Broja perhaps facing time as a fringe player at Chelsea and he might now find Saints an attraction.

Brereton Diaz joined Blackburn from Nottingham Forest 3 years ago for £7.5 million, but his contract is due to expire next year, so his fee would be in the range of £15 million.

This season he has scored twice in 6 games for Rovers and also has an assist, last season he scored 22 times in 37 Championship games with 3 assists .

He is a versatile player and can play as a central striker as well as on either flank, at a tad over 6ft tall he can head a ball and his goals were fairly evenly spread between right and left footed as well as a fair few with his head.

This could be a good signing for Saints as he would not only be a good striking option but could fill the void out wide, he played 23 times as a centre forward and scored 13 of his goals last season from this position.

But as a left winger he scored 9 times in 14 appearances and also had 4 assists, so he can be as effective out wide as in the centre.

There are a few clubs looking for a striker, but the same names are being bandied around all these clubs, one or two might get their first targets, but whatever happens there will be a chain reaction.

Photo: Action Images

halftimeorange added 10:00 - Aug 29 Championship strikers rarely work out well in the short-term. We need some class.
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Block8 added 10:33 - Aug 29 Sign him, we need to get someone in and around Che, when he is bullying defenders. Perhaps keep AA on the left Joe on the right and have him or Sekou Mara playing just behind Che.
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Colburn added 10:43 - Aug 29 Ahh so another unproven striker at the top level. A gamble, a punt... Why do we have to take so many risks? I thought we were going to have this marquee big striker signing and now we're trying to raid an average Championship team.. He is not the striker we need. Highly unimpressed..
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SaintPaulVW added 10:56 - Aug 29 I hear Burnley have got a good striker 3 goals in the last 2 games!
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Saidou added 11:15 - Aug 29 Thought we should have signed him 3 years ago. But now, with a lot of other teams interested, we should use him a coy to get a different striker in.
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dirk_doone added 12:58 - Aug 29 If we're going to buy another Championship striker, we could at least get the best one: Óscar Estupiñán
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underweststand added 17:41 - Aug 29 like Adam A. he has a goalscoring record in the Championship, but we know first hand that it means little when you move up to the " big time " and more famous (and expensive) players than he have floundered when they come up against the big teams. On the plus side, with the possible use of 5 subs. we'd be able to mix and match striker options in every game - until Ralph finds a good combination. Whether we sign him -or someone else - at least we'll have more options up front.

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