Southampton might just be tempted to dip into the transfer market at the turn of the year.
After eight games of the new Premier League season, they find themselves alarmingly close to the foot of the table and are above Everton only because they have scored two more goals at this early stage.
Saints are struggling and have already displayed a reliance on one of their summer arrivals.
Moussa Djenepo has had a hand in six of the seven points that Southampton have amassed this season; the team have yet to win a Premier League match without him present.
Rudderless in attack and still shaky in the defensive third, Ralph Hasenhuttl has cause for concern, and while integrating youth may be the preferable choice when it comes to strengthening the first-team squad, investment could be necessary.
The January transfer window is still some time away, but that hasn’t stopped the rumours from flowing.
So, just who has been linked with a move to Southampton ahead of the New Year? Let’s take a look at the 10 players touted with possible switches to St Mary’s.
Jarrod Bowen, Hull City
Hull winger Bowen has been linked with a move to Southampton. He scored 22 times for the club in the Championship last summer and has earned plaudits for his impressive displays on the right-hand side.
Yari Verschaeren, Anderlecht
Saints are reportedly keeping an eye on Anderlecht playmaker Verschaeren. The 18-year-old is already a regular for his club and has burst onto the senior scene for Belgium. He netted a penalty as Roberto Martinez’s side defeated San Marino 9-0 last week.
Jonathan David, Gent
Southampton are understood to have kept tabs on Gent forward David. The young striker has been in exceptional form for both his club and country, Canada, earning him admirers from elsewhere.
Aaron Hickey, Hearts
Hearts left-back Hickey has been attracting interest ahead of January, and Saints are among the clubs linked. The 17-year-old is already a regular for the Scottish club and is showing signs of real promise.
Mbwana Samatta, Genk
Genk striker Samatta has been touted as a target for Southampton ahead of the January transfer window. He scored goals freely throughout last season, and the Tanzania international appears to be a man in demand.
Ismet Lushaku, Eskilstuna
Lushaku, an established Kosovo U21 international, is apparently being watched by Saints. He has been performing well in Sweden with Eskilstuna and seems to be a promising talent.
Ryan Manning, QPR
Manning has had a good start to the season with QPR and is reportedly a target for Southampton. He has been influential from left-back and sees his contract at Loftus Road expire at the end of the campaign.
Charlie Allen, Linfield
Southampton have reportedly set their sights on Linfield’s promising midfielder Allen. Numerous clubs are stated to be keen on recruiting the teenager, including Chelsea.
Oliver Creed, Woking
Another youth star who Saints have apparently identified as a target is Woking defender Creed. As is the case with Allen, there are believed to be several interested parties in the race for his signature.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Mainz
The latest transfer rumour suggests Saints hold an interest in Mainz forward Mateta. The France U21 international is currently nursing a meniscus injury and isn’t likely to be offloaded unless a €30 million move is made, as per the report.