Southampton are eager to see an auction kickoff for Charlie Austin.

Austin has just one year left to run on his Saints contract and is a player manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is prepared to lose this summer as part of his squad overhaul.

The Daily Echo says Saints have already had positive noises of interest from newly promoted duo Sheffield Untied and Aston Villa and are believed to have told both clubs they will consider fair offers for Austin.

With Austin's availability becoming public knowledge and the potential of multiple clubs trying to land him, Saints are optimistic they can drive up the price and get at least double the £4m they paid for him in January 2016.