The Southampton striker Charlie Austin will leave the club this month with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa among those interested in the player who wants regular game-time elsewhere.

The 29-year-old is understood to have come to an agreement with the club that he can leave for the right price having struggled recently to force his way into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s new-look team. Austin has started just twice in the league since Hasenhuttl took over in early December and the Austrian has tended to play a formation with just a single striker.

The club have rejected offers already for Austin that did not meet their valuation. However, the relationship with the player is such that they will not price him out of a move. Austin’s contract runs out in the summer of next year.

The club have already sent the striker Manolo Gabbiadini to Sampdoria on loan this month with an obligation for the Italians to buy in the summer. Cedric Soares will go on loan to Inter Milan with a view to a permanent move. Wesley Hoedt has already joined Celta Vigo on loan.

Wolves are eager to add to their attacking options this window and have looked at Austin with a view to a permanent deal. Stoke City strikers Benik Afobe and Saido Berahino have 13 goals between them this season and the Championship side are looking to invest in a proven goalscorer. Villa want to strengthen their forward line with Chelsea loan striker Tammy Abraham unlikely to stay beyond the summer.