Most Saints fans agree that the club need to sign a quality central defender, the media also agree judging by the players linked, but does Les Reed ?
Many Saints supporters lay the blame for the problems the club has suffered in the past 18 months at it's failure to replace Jose Fonte in January 2017 and then again to replace Van Dijk in the same month this year.
But does Les Reed share the same views is the question ?
Certainly the media seem to think it is the main area we need to strengthen and we have been linked with several candidates, the latest though is a little bit under the radar and is Swansea City's Alfie Mawson.
Although the Swan's were relegated at our expense, their defence was not the reason why, only 10 teams conceded less goals than them last season, but no one scored less and that was the crux of their problem.
Mawson was seen as a leader and a rock in the defence and indeed his form earned him a call up to the full England squad for the round of friendlies in March of this year, although he did not add a full cap to his U21 honours.
Now he is being linked with a move fro Swansea and he could fit the profile that Saints are looking for.
At 24 and with two full seasons in the Premier League behind him for the Swans plus another in Barnsley's promotion winning team from League One in 2014/15 and a few spells out on loan from his first club Brentford he would appear to have that balance of age, experience and potential that Saints look for in a player.
Add to that the fact that that experience is in this country and his name would surely be appearing on Les Reed's little black box.
His current value is around the £15 million mark although that could fluctuate either way depending on interest from other clubs and Swansea's need to offload him from their wage bill.
Certainly with only two years left on his initial 4 year contract it is a delicate position for the Welsh club and that could be to Saints benefit.
So far Mawson is pretty much under the radar and that could suit Saints, after his England call up both Manchester United and Spurs were linked but that was more agents talk than anything concrete.
If Saints do fancy Mawson then they have a great opportunity to move fast and secure his services, however as we know most players are loathe to move before July 1st when they trigger a loyalty bonus under their contracts, so I don't expect much public movement till then, although hopefully Saints are doing their spade work as we speak.