By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

8th Jul, 2022 | 11:42am

Sources: Southampton green light Adam Armstrong loan move as new signing expected

Southampton are prepared to loan out striker Adam Armstrong with Championship clubs in hot pursuit, sources have told Football Insider.

The Saints are in the market for a new striker this summer and the expected new arrival will push Armstrong further down the pecking order.

Southampton are open to loaning out Armstrong for the new season and will listen to offers.

The 25-year-old would prefer to join another Premier League if he is loaned out rather than dropping to the Championship.

Armstrong joined Southampton from Blackburn Rovers last summer for a fee of £15million.

However, the striker has failed to hit the heights at St. Mary’s and found game time difficult to come by in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign.

He contributed two goals and three assists in 28 appearances across all competitions last season.

His contract with the Saints has three years remaining.

A product of Newcastle United’s academy, Armstrong made 21 appearances for his boyhood club before completing a permanent move to Blackburn in August 2018.

The former England under-21 international scored 64 goals in 160 games under Tony Mowbray at Ewood Park.

Such form earned him a big-money move to Southampton in August of last year.

Southampton are in the market for offensive reinforcements following Armstrong’s struggles, and the departure of Armando Broja following a successful loan spell at the club.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have signed Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, and Mateusz Lis in this window so far.

In other news, Joe Aribo has been backed to exit Rangers amid a ‘surprising’ Everton claim.