Southampton look like they're still in the market for a new striker.
Ever since Ross Stewart exited the building, having failed to agree a new contract, it has felt like a transfer priority.
A price tag has now been revealed for one target that had been discussed hushedly, with the South Coast giants having to splash the big bucks to win the attacker in question.
Price tag revealed for one Saints target
In the current inflated market, strikers do not arrive at your front door for a cheap amount.
Indeed, it is being reported, by Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, that Eintracht Frankfurt want up to £6.8m for Noel Futkeu, who is just fresh off an explosive 19-goal loan stint in the 2. Bundesliga with Greuter Furth.
Southampton's name has been uttered tentatively when it comes to Futkeu, so it will be interesting to see if they pursue a deal for the 23-year-old or not, now that a concrete transfer value has come to light.
Clearly, he knows where the back of the net is, based on his second division exploits in Germany. Would he be at home playing in the Championship, therefore, which is another intense second division?
At the end of the day, though, do Southampton need to flex their muscles in such a way to add another striker to their camp?
Desite there being such a hunger to add to their squad up top, they could be better served sticking with what they've got strangely, as the pre-season clashes so far show off a wide array of fringe attackers who could have what it takes to be great second-in-command figures to Cyle Larin next season.
Should they sign Futkea or look more inward?
Indeed, Nicholas Oyekunle will feel his time to shine will come next campaign, with Stewart no longer on the books.
He would get in on the goalscoring action against Eastleigh in the first pre-season friendly to show off his well-known U21s prowess, with ten strikes tallied up from 28 outings in that age group.
The promising 19-year-old wouldn't score last time out versus Eintracht Braunschweig, but it would feel cruel to postpone his first team development, again, to sign Futkeu, with Eckert last season getting lots more out of the likes of Cameron Bragg, another exciting U21 sensation.
Why can't he work this same magic with Oyekunle and save the Saints some cash?
Oyekunle was shoved to the background up against Braunschweig due to Damion Downs stealing the show, as the ex-FC Koln attacker's calmly taken solo effort during the first-half handed the English visitors a 1-0 win.
He might have had a wobbly first season at St Mary's, to put it lightly, with zero goals collected from 14 games, but he won't be given up on completely, you imagine, as he now impresses Eckert, who didn't work with him last campaign, as all his shambolic displays came under the equally shambolic reign of Will Still.
It's a clean slate for Downs, who cost around the £7m mark last summer, and with 37 career goals next to his name, he could finally arrive to the party next season in the Championship.
To drop another £7m or thereabouts on Futkeu might not be deemed the wisest spending if you already have a young striker who has been purchased from Germany at your disposal.
It remains to be seen what Southampton do this off-season with their attacking set-up, with one route seeing them pick up a flashy signing, while the other path sees them stick with what they've got.
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