According to a recent report from ESPN, Javier Hernandez could be set for a move away in the near future. The 30-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit West Ham having moved there from Bayer Leverkusen back in the summer of 2017, only for a lack of game time this term under Manuel Pellegrini to plunge his future at the club into doubt.

And reports suggest that Turkish heavyweights Besiktas are keen on the Mexico international, valued at £10.8 million by Transfermarkt, as should Southampton manager Mark Hughes, what with Hernandez possessing the striking qualities needed to lead the desperately sorry Saints to Premier League safety.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, this season has so far been little better than the last one for Southampton supporters, what with Hughes’ men having won just one of their opening 12 league games, thus sitting just above the bottom three on goal difference to suggest another relegation battle is in the offing.

And arguably their biggest problem, as it was for much of last season, has been their inability to regularly hit the back of the net, what with the South Coast club scoring just eight Premier League goals so far this season - only second-bottom Huddersfield Town (six) have scored fewer.

Thus, it’s plainly obvious what area of the squad Hughes must strengthen this summer, and while some Saints fans are likely to be concerned at the lack of all round capabilities Hernandez has in the main striker’s role, it’s clear from their numbers this term that they need a poacher like him to get the goals.

Yes, some supporters have bemoaned a turgid style of play at times this season but, as per Squawka, Hughes’ side have created 110 chances so far this term, which puts them in eighth place in terms of most chances created in the top-flight this season - that’s a figure more than sixth place Bournemouth (104), fifth place Arsenal (103), and fourth place Tottenham (98).

As such, it appears to be just a case of having someone in the right place at the right time to put those chances away - and there are few better in the business than West Ham’s Hernandez.

Yes, the 30-year-old hasn’t enjoyed a great time at the London Stadium, but he still finished last season with eight Premier League goals to his name - that would have been enough to finish as Southampton’s top goal-scorer.

And with a history of scoring crucial goals during his time at Manchester United earlier in his career, as well as a prolific scoring rate in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, he has the sort of traits needed to pull Southampton away from the bottom three.

Thus, with Besiktas reportedly keen on the striker, Southampton boss Hughes must express his own interest in the player that could well lead his struggling side to safety.

Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!