According to reports in The Independent, Southampton are facing a race against time to bring top transfer target Quincy Promes to the club before Wednesday’s deadline, with Spartak Moscow reluctant to sell their star man.

The Independent says that Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino wants to bring in another attacker before the window slams shut, to boost a team that has only scored 24 goals in 24 Premier League matches this season and currently lies in the relegation zone.

The report adds that while the 26-year-old, who has netted 58 goals in 115 games for the Russian Premier League side, is said to be keen on a move to St Mary's, a deal is proving to be tough to negotiate with the deadline just hours away.

The south coast outfit could be forced to look elsewhere on Wednesday if they want to bring in the forward they look to so desperately need to boost their survival bid, and there are certainly plenty of players around that may still arrive at the club before 11pm.

Here are three Quincy Promes alternatives Southampton could target on Deadline Day…

Andre Schurrle

The former Chelsea forward has been heavily linked with a loan move to the Premier League this month, but it remains to be seen whether he will make his return to England before the deadline.

The Germany international is out of favour with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund having only made 10 appearances in all competitions for them this season, and he is keen to play regularly in order to try and force his way into his national team squad in the World Cup this summer.

The 27-year-old is versatile and can play on the left wing or as a centre-forward, and while he has never been a really prolific goalscorer during his career there is no doubt that he could add something to the faltering Saints attack.

Nicolas Gaitan

Like Schurrle, the 29-year-old is out of favour at his club – Atletico Madrid – and has also been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this month, with reports in The Sun suggesting that he has even rejected a move to Swansea City.

Because he is Argentine and is currently playing in La Liga he will be well known to Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, who has also been linked with a swoop for the winger.

Gaitan has played on both wings for Atletico in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, and while he has struggled to make an impression for the Spanish club he showed the quality he does have with 41 goals and 88 assists in 253 matches for Benfica previously, and could certainly make a big impact at St Mary's.

Pione Sisto

If Southampton aren't able to get Quincy Promes and are looking for a pacey and direct wide forward before the window slams shut, they should take a closer look at Sisto.

The Celta Vigo has scored three goals and picked up nine assists in 21 La Liga matches this season – only Lionel Messi has matched that tally – while he tormented Saints and Manchester United in the Europa League when he playing for Midtjylland previously.

The Denmark international has shown that he can score and create, and he would be an exciting and unpredictable addition for the south coast outfit in the remaining months of the campaign.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.