Transfer Talk: Saints plot spending spree to seal survival

Struggling Southampton will continue to splash the cash this month in a desperate bid to retain their Premier League status.

Ex-Luton boss Nathan Jones has yet to have the desired impact at St Mary’s since replacing Ralph Hasenhuttl in November, with the Saints sat rock bottom of the table after 18 matches.

The Welshman says "three or four" new faces are the minimum requirement for his side and the capture of Dinamo Zagreb winger Mislav Orsic last week got the ball rolling.

Now, Celtic forward Daizen Maeda, Racing Club midfielder Carlos Alcaraz and Lorient marksman Terem Moffi are all being strongly linked with switches to the South Coast.

Sky Sports say Maeda, 25, is being monitored by the Premier League outfit, who have enjoyed success buying from the Hoops before with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama and Stuart Armstrong.

Maeda has 14 goals in 49 appearances for the Glasgow giants and was on target for Japan in their World Cup last-16 defeat to Croatia last month.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Alcaraz is also a top target but The Athletic claim Southampton’s opening bid of £8.8million has been rejected by the Argentine outfit. 

Central midfield has been a problem area for the Saints and the youngster is keen to play in the Premier League.

Finally, Nigerian hotshot Moffi is one of the most exciting attackers in French football having netted 10 goals in 15 Ligue 1 starts for Lorient this term.

Although the 23-year-old has entered the last 18 months of his contract, his club are still holding out for around £25m according to the Daily Mail.

In other news

The Manchester Evening News say Manchester United have no intention of letting club captain Harry Maguire, 29, leave the club this month amid links to Aston Villa.

Newcastle and Arsenal are hoping to take advantage of contract complications between Barcelona and their 19-year-old left-back Alejandro Balde, Sport suggest.

German outlet BILD say Newcastle will move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, 23, this summer.