Thursday 25 January 2018 21:49, UK
Southampton are close to completing the signing of Guido Carrillo from Monaco, manager Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed
Pellegrino is hopeful of finalising the deal before the weekend and revealed that he is looking at Carrillo as a replacement for Charlie Austin, who is out for another month with a hamstring injury.
"We are working really hard to try and move forward," Pellegrino said.
"Hopefully we can have some good news tomorrow, but still nothing has happened.
"We are confident. I think the player wants to come, to be part of our squad but the most important part of the negotiations are still there so we have to continue to work.
"We are looking for someone who can replace Charlie or the quality of Charlie.
"Obviously it is not the same player, but this is our target now.
"I don't know if he will be ready [for Brighton] because we have to test the player."
The Saints have been in pursuit of Carrillo for the past week and saw an initial £17.6m offer for the 26-year-old rejected, Sky Sports News understands.
Carrillo has made 22 appearances this season, but has started only twice in Ligue1. He has scored 20 goals in over 50 games for Monaco since signing from Estudiantes in 2015.
