Barcelona Transfer News: Paco Alcacer Reportedly Targeted by Southampton

Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer is reportedly being targeted by Premier League strugglers Southampton, although Villarreal and Celta Vigo are also interested in the 24-year-old.

Saints have been monitoring Alcacer's situation at the Camp Nou and could make a move for the forward, according to Sky Sports News.

Alcacer moved to Barcelona from Valencia in 2016, but he is not a regular and serves as a back-up to Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi with the La Liga leaders. 

The striker has six goals and two assists for the club this season but has only started eight games for Ernesto Valverde's team.

Although he is only on the fringes, Alcacer may have a role to play in the run-in. Barcelona remain on course for success in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey, but there are concerns over the fitness of star man Messi.

The Argentina international returned from injury in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over AS Roma on Wednesday but still did not look completely fit, per sports writer Andy West:

Messi said he has been carrying a "hamstring injury for some time," per TyC Sports (h/t Nicholas McGee at Goal).

Yet Southampton would surely have to retain their Premier League status if they are to attract a player of Alcacer's calibre. Mark Hughes' side are in the relegation zone with just seven games left to play.

One of their failings this season has been a lack of goals. Saints have managed just 29 in 31 Premier League games, and their top scorer is Charlie Austin with six goals. However, the forward has only featured once for the club in 2018 due to injury.

WhoScored.com show how effective he can be when fit:

It's unclear if Alcacer wants to leave Barcelona, but he may see his first-team chances limited even further by the arrival of Antoine Griezmann in the summer. The Catalan giants are hoping to secure a deal for the France international shortly, per Sport (h/t Andrew Richardson at The Sun).

If Griezmann does join, Alcacer will likely be forced to move on if he hopes to see any first-team action going forward.