According to Dutch media outlet Voetbal Inside, Brighton and Hove Albion are in talks with AZ Alkmaar over a deal for winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, rated at €25m (around £22m) by the Eredivisie outfit, and Southampton should be watching developments closely.

What's the word, then?

Alireza Jahanbakhsh in action against Turkey

Well, VI report that the Seagulls are negotiating with the Dutch club to bring the highly-rated Iran international to the Premier League, with AZ demanding around £22m for the top goalscorer in the top flight of the Netherlands last term.

VI say that the 24-year-old could join the south coast club on a four-year deal with the option of a fifth if a deal is agreed, as Chris Hughton looks to strengthen his squad following an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League.

One of their main problems was scoring goals though, and adding Jahanbakhsh to the squad should go some way to eradicating that issue given his record during the 2017/18 campaign.

How did he do last season?

He was excellent, and showed why he is ready for a big move to the Premier League.

The tricky winger scored a remarkable 22 goals and provided a further 14 assists from out wide in 39 appearances in all competitions, according to Transfermarkt.

The 24-year-old brings far more than just goals and assists though, and he showed why he is feared so much by opposition defenders by the fact he successfully completed 111 of the 178 dribbles he attempted 33 Eredivisie outings last term.

[brid autoplay="true" video="255885" player="12034" title="Watch Southampton's opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season"]

Why should Southampton hijack Brighton's move?

Like the Seagulls, one of Saints' main issues during the 2017/18 campaign was their shortcomings in the final third, and adding Jahanbakhsh to their squad would surely sort that out.

The Iranian wideman's brilliant record shows that he could make a huge impact at St Mary's, and at £22m he is well in the south coast outfit's price range – even if he would be a club-record purchase.

The 24-year-old would certainly be a welcome addition for the likes of Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini, who were often starved of service as Southampton, whose move for a 26-year-old midfielder would surely seal Mario Lemina's exit, only narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.