Southampton may have preferred to keep a huge transfer fund for the summer, but they may have no choice.
Premier League clubs have consistently overspent on their top January transfer targets in recent years, with the nature of a mid-season market forcing struggling outfits to splash out.
Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres were notable examples in 2011, and Virgil van Dijk is set to become the latest big mover after sealing a switch to Liverpool.
This ordinarily would play into the Saints’ hands as they may not need to immediately replace a player who has performed below his best this season and could save that hefty fund for the rather more sensible summer window.
But Southampton’s form in recent weeks will not allow them to do that and they could instead add another name to the list of Carroll, Torres and Van Dijk.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men are winless in seven and just two points clear of the relegation zone, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to play in the next month.
Just four wins this season have come courtesy of a pair of 1-0 successes and triumphs over the then struggling duo of West Ham United and Everton – the only two occasions that Southampton have scored more than twice in a match.
It is clear that the Saints lack firepower, despite counting Charlie Austin and Manuel Gabbiadini among their options, while the defence has started to leak too.
Southampton could and should now become one of the big movers this winter if they are to avoid trouble.
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