SOUTHAMPTON have raised the stakes in the race to sign Jay Rodriguez after launching a bid in excess of £6m for the Burnley hot shot.

The Premier League newcomers had an estimated £5m bid for the in-demand striker turned down last summer but have returned meaning business this time round.

Burnley are yet to respond to the bid as the interest in the striker hots up.

Former Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is also understood to be eyeing Rodriguez as he prepares to take West Ham United back into the Premier League after winning the Championship play offs.

Allardyce was in talks with Hammers co-owner David Sullivan about budgets and targets hours after beating Blackpool in the Wembley final last weekend.

Southampton’s bid though is likely to leave the Hammers’ interest dead in the water with Allardyce understood to be ready to spend no more than £5m on him.

Clarets' top scorer Rodriguez has been linked with a host of top flight teams, including fellow Premier League newcomers Reading and Fulham.

Burnley’s Championship rivals Cardiff City were yesterday said to have put in a £5.5m bid for Rodriguez, although the club has not received a firm offer from the Welsh club.

However, even if Cardiff were to confirm their interest with an official approach it is unlikely to be enough to entice Rodriguez.

The Burnley-born forward would not be expected to set his sights lower than the Premier League if he was to move on this summer, as seems inevitable given the volume of enquiries, no matter how far Cardiff might be prepared to push the boat out for his signature.

With a year left to run on his Clarets contract, any move would be based on a football decision, with a realistic opportunity to develop at a higher level.

Burnley are resigned to losing the striker this summer but will be setting their sights high with regards the price they are looking to sell him for.

It is understood the club value him somewhere in the region of £8m and, with a number of clubs battling it out for him, are hopeful their expectations could be realised.