West Bromwich Albion have resumed talks with Southampton over a £12 million deal for Jay Rodriguez.

Tony Pulis, the West Brom head coach, is stepping up his bid to sign the England international and battling to tie up a deal before the end of the month.

Rodriguez is free to leave Southampton this summer and Albion are in dialogue with Saints, with an initial fee of around £12 million understood to be the asking price.

Newcastle are also interested in the 27-year-old forward but it is believed Rodriguez is attracted to the prospect of signing for West Brom, who have attempted to sign him over the last two transfer windows.

Southampton’s dismissal of Claude Puel earlier this month, and their subsequent search for a replacement, may delay negotiations but Pulis is hopeful of making the former Burnley striker one of his first signings of the summer.