Southampton are reportedly pushing to sign Joshua King from Bournemouth in a deal that would see Shane Long head the opposite way on an initial loan move.

King netted 48 goals in 161 Premier League appearances for the Cherries and was widely expected to depart last summer.

A deal failed to go through, but The Athletic claims that the Norway international could be on his way back to the top flight ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.

Southampton are said to have been engaged in talks with South Coast rivals Bournemouth over the weekend, with Long being used as a possible makeweight to tempt the Championship side into parting company.

King must also be persuaded to move to St Mary's Stadium, it is claimed, with the striker previously coming close to joining former club Manchester United.