Whilst Saints have publicly hinted that they are not going to blow the £75 million about to drop into their bank for Virgil Van Dijk just for the sake of it, they are well aware they do need to spend a big chunk of it.
Saints have already stated in the past that they believe that January transfer windows see mainly inflated prices paid by clubs who are desperate to make a signing for one reason or another and that they do not intend to get too involved in January believing if they make the right signings in a summer window then January is not crucial.
But now they know they need to spend for more than one reason.
Firstly they know that they need to show a supporter base that rightly or wrongly is disenchanted at the moment, Saints would have hoped that the success of the last four years would have showed the supporters what they are trying to achieve and the blueprint for that success.
They would point to four top 8 finishes plus a major cup final as not only showing the progress that has been made, but also the undisputed fact that it is in terms of league the best period in the club's history.
They will feel disappointment that a section of the supporter base cannot accept anything other than year in year out improvement and that not only sometimes you have to take a step back, but there is a limit on what can be achieved in the short term at least.
Therefore they know they need to make a statement when it comes to spending the money, but they willtry to spend it wisely and not just for the sake of it.
Secondly they also know they need players in key positions, they know they need to replace Van Dijk, they gambled back in August that Van Dijk would knuckle down, but he appeared unable to do that, even though reports suggest that the club had indicated to him they would sell in January if the price was right, that has cost us dearly not just on the pitch but off it with morale at rock bottom.
Both the manager and Les Reed know that Saints success has been based on two strong central defenders, Fonte/Lovren, Fonte/ Alderweireld & Fonte/ Van Dijk, both last season and this that has not been the case, they know from recent results that although Wesley Hoedt has shown signs that he can be a quality player, he desperately needs someone alongside him of Premier class, that sadly is not either Yoshida or Jack Stephens, Saints know they have to unearth another gem and that has been much of their concentration in the past four months.
But they also know that they need more up front, Charlie Austin is good but injury prone, Manolo Gabbiadini is class but does not fit the system under the present manager and sadly Sane Long is looking a shadow of his former self, although a lot of that could be motivation.
Thirdly Saints know they need to win a few games and pull clear of the relegation battle, no more words are needed on this accept that we are a decent side being poorly managed at present.
So Saints supporters can expect at least two new signings, a striker and a central defender as a minimum and names are already being linked with the striking role.
The Liverpool Echo are very close to their two Premier League clubs , so when they say something although it might not always happen, it usually has more substance than most rumours and they are saying that Daniel Sturridge could be on his way to St Mary's.
Sturridge is way down the pecking order at Anfield but that is not surprising when you look at the talent Klopp has at his disposal, Salah, Firminho, Mane & Firmino are his "Fab Four" but add to that Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and their latest hope Solanke and you can see why Sturridge is struggling for game time.
But Saints seem unwilling to buy him outright at least initially, probably due to his injury record and are looking at a loan deal with a possible option to buy at the end, certainly Sturridge could be a good short term fix for Saints.
The Liverpool Echo suggest that the Van Dijk deal is not linked to any other possible transfer between the two clubs either Sturridge or Danny Ings another possible loan signing for Saints, however there seems to be a thawing of the frosty relationship between the two clubs and I would be surprised if there weren't some talking done.
Another to be linked is former Saint Theo Walcott, that also has some strong whispers in the press, Walcott has never fulfilled his potential at Arsenal and he will turn 29 in March, he will be aware that next summers World Cup will be his last and that he needs to be in a team where he is playing every week, if he gets that and finds his form then he may have a chance of going.
Defensively Saints are not being linked to anyone yet although Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon who can play at left back or as a winger is mentioned by the Liverpool Echo, however Saints black box is working overtime and there are believed to be a at least a dozen names in the frame to replace Van Dijk who the club believe could do the job.
So there will be money spent this window, but the message coming out of the club is that they are not panic buying, they will get in players in the two areas they see as key and although this season may not be as good as the last four, they feel they will be stronger by the end of it and will go into the summer with money to spend.