Blackburn Rovers are in talks to sign Southampton striker Sam Gallagher on a permanent basis, according to Sky Sports' live transfer blog.

Gallagher has spent time with Rovers previously in what was his best loan spell to date away from parent club Southampton, and now, with chances at St Mary's at a premium, it looks like Gallagher might be on his way back to Lancashire.

The 23-year-old striker has failed to live up to the hype what surrounded him when he burst onto the scene as a teenager with the Saints some five years ago, with various loan spells offering little in the way of success and goalscoring form.

However, his spell with Rovers did yield a healthy return, and it is thought that Rovers manager Tony Mowbray is keen on bringing Gallagher back to Ewood Park if he can.

There is still other interest though in the striker according to Sky Sports, meaning Blackburn could well face a fight to sign a player they have long been linked with.

Gallagher will be disappointed to see his Premier League dream come to an end but will no doubt welcome the chance of a move to the Championship, where he will be hoping to hit the ground running and finally look at fulfilling the potential he showed a few seasons back.

The Verdict

For Gallagher, you would assume that Blackburn is the best place for him to go given how he already knows the club and is well liked.

But, it can sometimes come down to money as we know, and a Premier League contract might be hard to match for the Lancashire club.

If they can sign him though, and get him firing, they'll have a good player on their hands with plenty to prove under Tony Mowbray.