FORMER Saints and current Leganes boss Mauricio Pellegrino has outlined the problems surrounding a deal for Guido Carrillo.

The striker, who has been exiled throughout the summer, is subject to interest from the Spanish side he played for on loan last season.

Carrillo has been linked with several clubs throughout the transfer window, which doesn't shut it Europe until 2 September.

However, Saints are looking to offload him permanently as opposed to another loan deal.

And this is where Pellegrino thinks the situation gets tricky, suggesting that the St Mary's outfit are pricing Leganes out of a move for the Argentine.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the ex-Saints manager said: "The possibilities of bringing Guido Carrillo remain difficult at this time.

"The economic possibilities make the operation very difficult."

Pellegrino was the manager in charge of Saints at the time they signed Carrillo in January 2018.

The former Liverpool player was desperate for the club to purchase the striker from Monaco to boost his side's chances of beating relegation.

However, after spending a sizable £19.8m on him, the 28-year-old failed to make any kind of impact other than to the wage bill.

In his 10 appearances for Saints, he was unable to register a single goal and was dealt a further blow when Pellegrino was sacked and replaced by Mark Hughes.

Hughes shipped Carrillo out on loan last summer, with the ex-Monaco man opting to reunite with Pellegrino at Leganes.

During his time in Spain, he managed to find the back of the net just six times.

Despite not having the greatest record, Leganes aren't the only team who are said to be interested in thrashing out a deal.

Back in his native Argentina, it's claimed that Boca Juniors want to try and figure out a loan deal for Carrillo.

The Daily Echo last month reported that Saints were waiting on the Argentinian side to make a firm offer for his services.

However, the fact he is a high earner at the club, who still has two years left on his current contract, has resulted in it being tricky to move him on.

Fellow striker Charlie Austin was a prime example of this.

There was always the expectation that he would leave, but with his move not coming until deadline day, Saints could've been stuck with him until January.

And by getting him off the wage bill, they were able to bring in defender Kevin Danso.