Sky Sports are reporting that Liverpool have turned down a bid from Saints to take Mamadou Sakho on loan.
Saints have been linked for a while with Sakho but the stumbling block with the deal is that Liverpool would be loathe to sell Sakho to Saints before the second leg of the League cup semi final is concluded.
Saints would of course like him sooner than that and are believed to have tried to take him on loan at least initially, but Liverpool have turned that down even though they have no intention of playing the central defender and he is no part of their squad after a falling out with Jurgen the German in the summer.
He has been playing for the Merseyside clubs U23 side, but was withdrawn from their game against Manchester United on Monday suggesting that a move to St Mary's was close, Saints would probably have liked him in their squad for the game against Leicester City on Sunday but that now looks unlikely.
Liverpool want a straight sale and nothing else at present, but Saints fans will be relieved to hear that the club are actually looking at a replacement for Jose Fonte who is being reported as in talks with West Ham United.