Report: West Brom tables bid for Southampton's Rodriguez
To see a list of completed deals in the summer window thus far, visit theScore's Premier League transfer tracker.
Like a frantic shopper who's left holiday preparations to the last minute, West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis is looking to make a flurry of moves before the window slams shut on Aug. 31, with the trackies and trainers gaffer reportedly submitting a bid for Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez.
Pulis is looking to add depth to a depleted Baggies squad, with John Percy of the Telegraph suggesting that a loan move for Rodriguez could be one of five late summer signings.
After a string of injuries have relegated Rodriguez to a Premier League afterthought, the attacker appears a long way from a stunning 2013-14 campaign, and a temporary move to the Hawthorns could be precisely what the Clarets academy grad needs to revive his career.
A departure for the Burnley-born Rodriguez would leave Saints boss Claude Puel short on options up top, and after conceding that he would not look to lure another forward to St. Mary's, the cupboard appears nearly bare.
Related: Puel admits Southampton content with attacking depth
Winger Nathan Redmond was brought in from Norwich in the summer and Puel has discussed moving the England youth international into a more attacking position. The Saints also have Shane Long and Charlie Austin in its ranks, but after the departures of Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle, the club has a 22-league-goal void to fill.
While Puel appears content with the squad he has, Pulis is looking to stock the shelves with attack-minded players to compliment Salomon Rondon and Saido Berahino.
Pearcy contends that in addition to Rodriguez, who was an unused substitute in Friday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United, the Baggies are monitoring Leicester City's versatile wide-man Jeffrey Schlupp and Chelsea's Nigerian international Victor Moses.
With ten days to go until the summer transfer window closes, Pulis has made just one move, luring QPR's Matt Phillips to the West Midlands, though it's not for a lack of trying.
"We’ve got targets this summer but it’s taking time. There’s a good spirit already here but I’m keen to bring in better players to lift the squad and to make it more competitive," Pulis offered.
"It’s been non-stop and tough. We’ve really tried to monitor everything. The finances out there have gone absolutely stupid, crazy. For a person who has come from a very working class background to listen to some of the fees being mentioned is just extraordinary."