The rumour mill is saying that Danny Ings will leave Liverpool in January and Southampton could be one possible destination.
Danny Ings was born in Winchester and grew up in Netley and spent time on Saints books before being released and joining Bournemouth aged 16, Saints were linked with him when he left Burnley to join Liverpool and are now being touted again as a possble destination with his Anfield career looking to be nearing his end.
Ings is being linked with a loan move in January with Newcastle, West Brom, Crystal Palace and even Brighton touted as possible destinations, however Saints could also be an option and although Liverpool are resigned that selling Ings due to his large salary might not be possible just yet, hence the loan move rumours, he could form part of a possible bid from the Anfield club for Virgil Van Dijk.
Athough Van Dijk has looked happier in a Saints shirt in the last three games, the transfer rumours are going to start again in January and Liverpool having reached the last 16 of the Champions League and looking good in the Premier League to boot, will certainly be wanting to strengthen in January to try and land a trophy.
That could mean a big bid and part of that most certainly could be offering Ings as part of a package and to push a deal though Liverpool could be willing to pay Ings himself compensation to take a pay cut at St Mary's something they would be loathe to do in other circumstances.
Saints will have to consider just what would tempt them to cash in on Van Dijk in January given that they would be unlikely to be able to do so beyond next summer.
A straight cash bid of £65-70 million would test Saints resolve and if they have the right man lined up to replace him, would be very tempting, a figure of £55 million plus Danny Ings is the suggestion on the rumour mill that would be very hard to turn down should Liverpool put it on the table.
A year ago Saints fans would have said that any sale of Van Dijk would show a lack of ambition at the club to keep players, but the events of last summer not just with Van Dijk but other high profile transfer targets trying to force through moves unethically has perhaps changed that view for many.
Now Saints fans are starting to realise what the club are facing when they try to keep hold of players, now many feel the pont has been made and we hold the whip hand and that means selling him on our terms not just jumping at the first offer.
So although this rumour is at the moment just a whisper, it could grow as the transfer window opening looms