Southampton is nearing a £7m transfer deal for forward Ben Brereton Diaz from the Spanish club Villarreal.
The 25-year-old is anticipated to join St Mary’s, concluding his brief stint in Spain.
He made the switch to the Yellow Submarine last summer after departing Blackburn, where he spent five years at Ewood Park.
However, the Chile international found it challenging to make a lasting impression at the La Liga club, failing to score in 20 outings, with only six being starts.
Brereton Diaz was loaned to Sheffield United in January, where he netted six goals in 14 Premier League appearances for the Blades, but could not prevent their relegation.
Southampton, having returned to the Premier League last season after triumphing in the Championship play-offs, has seen Che Adams depart on a free transfer to Torino and is actively seeking a forward.
Brereton Diaz represented Chile in three matches during the Copa America last month as La Roja secured third place in Group A, trailing behind Argentina and Canada.
On Friday, Southampton finalized arrangements to acquire Sao Paulo forward Juan and left-back Wellington.
Both players are set to transfer to St Mary’s once their contracts with the Brazilian Serie A club expire in January 2025.
