Southampton striker Dom Ballard is strongly linked with a permanent exit from St Mary’s this summer.
League One trio Plymouth Argyle, Leyton Orient and Barnsley are all showing interest in the 20-year-old’s services.
The Saints are well versed in striking options this season. Striker’s Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer, and Ben Brereton Diaz are all available for head coach Will Still.
After three loan spells away from the South Coast, they are prepared to let Ballard find a new club.
Tussle for In-Demand Southampton Forward
As first reported by Alfie House of the Daily Echo, the battle to sign Dom Ballard is set to intensify.
Reading has a long-lasting interest in the Saints prospect, but faces major competition from their third-tier rivals.
Ballard has undeniably been an influential figure in Southampton’s Premier League 2 exploits in recent seasons. His performances are earning him plenty of plaudits from his potential suitors.
He boasts an impressive record for the Saints Under-21 side. He has managed 28 goals in his 29 appearances in Premier League 2.
The England youth international has enjoyed various loan spells in the EFL, spending time at Reading, Blackpool, and Cambridge United in the last two seasons.
A section of Saints supporters would dearly love to see Ballard given his opportunity in Will Still’s first team. Having made one Premier League appearance for his boyhood club, a move away is very much on the 20-year-old’s agenda.
Plymouth Argyle and Reading Seek to Arrest Sluggish Starts
Two of the clubs reportedly preparing a move for him, are early season strugglers Plymouth and Reading. Both have lost their opening three league matches, and in desperate need of a confidence boost.
Despite the arrivals of Owen Oseni, Bim Pepple, and Jamie Patterson, the Pilgrims are so far lacking bite in front of goal.
Tom Cleverley is vocal about the need for a prolific goal scorer, spotlighting it as the priority in the remainder of the window.
The Royals have only mustered one goal in the league so far this term, and are rock bottom of the division, albeit at this early stage.
Noel Hunt is enduring a tough start as head coach at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. If he can entice Ballard to return to Berkshire after his previous loan spell, it will go some way to providing some much needed impetus.
Barnsley and Leyton Orient are Determined to Strengthen
Scoring goals has not been a problem for Barnsley so far this campaign. The Tykes have made an unbeaten start to the League One campaign, and scored seven times in their opening three league games.
Conor Hourihane has lofty ambitions for his Barnsley side and is determined to build on early-season momentum.
The considerable experience of David Mcgoldrick, coupled with the spirited style of Davis Keillor-Dunn in the front line, has placed Barnsley as an attractive destination for an ambitious young striker like Ballard.
On the other hand, the promise of a regular starting berth is significantly less likely due to the form of their current squad.
The situation is similar at Orient, as striker Aaron Connolly has hit the ground running since arriving at Brisbane Road.
Significantly blessed with options, Dom Ballard must weigh up whether he would prefer regular minutes or to compete for a regular place in the starting lineup.