Southampton's impressive 2-1 win against Leicester City last weekend and their 3-0 win over Cambridge United on Tuesday emphasised just how important Che Adams can be in Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.

The Scotland international was left out of the opening game defeat against Tottenham Hotspur before being relegated to the bench for the trip to Leicester after 90 minutes in the draw against Leeds.

While he featured for just 31 minutes at the King Power Stadium, he won the game for the Saints with a quick-fire brace that included a scissor kick finish from James Ward-Prowse's cross.

The 26-year-old could have had a hat-trick too, but was denied by the woodwork in what was a superb performance from the bench. He then added to his tally in midweek, bagging another brace to send the Saints into the next round of the cup. Four goals in three matches this term is an outstanding tally and shows that it would be a rather big mistake if a sale was to be sanctioned this summer.

Indeed, there have been plenty of rumours this summer that the former Sheffield United man could leave St Mary's, despite the lack of attacking options in Hasenhuttl's side.

The Austrian manager currently has just Adams, Adam Armstrong and Sekou Mara to choose from as natural strikers in his squad, and yet it was reported that Adams was free to leave the club.

Despite his brace at the weekend, Everton remain keen on signing the 26-year-old, with the Athletic's David Ornstein suggesting that Adams is a leading target for Frank Lampard as he looks to bolster the Toffees' attack.

Everton have already sold Richarlison for big money this summer and look set to receive £50m from the sale of Anthony Gordon, which will give them plenty of cash to burn as they look to do a deal with Southampton for Adams.

It has been claimed that Southampton value Adams at £25m, which should prove no problem for Everton should Gordon depart Goodison Park, and Saints fans might be concerned that last weekend's hero could soon be on the move.

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Hasenhuttl is clearly a big fan of Adams and sang his praises in 2020, saying:

“He is a guy who is one day a little bit frustrated when he sees he doesn’t play but then when the game comes, he shows up immediately and this is fantastic."

Therefore, it would be a surprise if he were to let the Scottish forward leave this summer, and given the lack of attacking options in Southampton's squad, it could be a disastrous decision to let him go, especially if it strengthens a potential relegation rival such as Everton.

After all, in the space of two quick matches in the space of a few days, he has proven why they cannot afford to let him go. He is a goal-scorer and the south coast side are in desperately short supply.