An update has emerged on Southampton and their search to add to their options at the top end of the pitch during the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

90min journalist Toby Cudworth has revealed that the Saints are one of a number of Premier League clubs eyeing a potential swoop for Andre Ayew on a free transfer.

The reporter Tweeted: "West Ham, Bournemouth, Southampton, Everton and Nottingham Forest have shown an interest in free agent Andre Ayew. The 33-year-old has lots of PL experience & is a potential late window option after leaving Al Sadd."

Southampton are also reportedly in talks to sign 22-year-old centre-forward Vitinha from Portuguese side Braga before the window slams shut.

Imagine Ayew & Vitinha

Vitinha has caught the eye in Portugal this season with seven goals and three assists, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.02, in 12 starts in Liga Portugal but he is yet to prove himself in the Premier League, or in England at any level.

It is impossible to tell how the youngster would deal with the transition to playing in the top-flight of English football and that is why signing Ayew, who is a low-risk signing as a free agent, alongside the talented young gem could be a masterstroke from Nathan Jones.

The veteran forward, who has been capped a whopping 113 times by Ghana at international level, has proven his quality at the top end of the pitch in both the Premier League and the Championship.

During his time at West Ham, manager Slaven Bilic hailed the forward's ability to win matches for the side. The Croatian told BBC Sport: "I rate Andre very highly. He's a great player. He was the game-changer.

"He's got that (knack) for goals. He's always in a good position at the right time."

Ayew struck 12 goals in 50 appearances for the Hammers and racked up 21 goals and 12 assists in 89 outings in the Premier League between his time there and at Swansea, whilst he also scored 31 goals in 87 Championship matches for the Swans.

The striker also plundered 22 goals in 39 games for Al Sadd in his recent spell in Qatar and this shows that the gem has not lost his goalscoring touch at the age of 33.

Now, imagine a forward with Ayew's quality and experience providing competition and mentorship for Vitinha in the second half of the season. The Ghana captain could be a brilliant role model for the young Portuguese talent and that is why the Saints could secure a dream double deadline day deal by signing both players.