Saints could be heading back to Stamford Bridge to sign yet another of their academy products, this time it is a central defender who at 23 has a wealth of experience out on loan and also surprisingly some at Chelsea.
Trevoh Chalobah might be a name that not too many are aware of but only just turning 23 he has already 79 appearances in the Championship whilst on loan at Ipswich and Huddersfield, another 29 in Ligue 1 in France with L'Orient and also very surprisingly 20 appearances for Chelsea last season in the Premier League, a rarity it seems for a youngster at Stamford Bridge.
He started 17 games last season for the Blues in the Premier League plus another 3 off the bench, even scoring 3 goals, one against us in our 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge and notching an assist, but this season his hoped progress has been blocked, as Chelsea attempt to sign Leicester City star Wesley Fofana having already added Kalidou Koulibaly, now it appears as though Chalobah could be on the move.
Southampton, Everton, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are all said to be interested as are Serie A duo Inter Milan and AS Roma
Reports are suggesting though that it is Saints who have been talking to both Chelsea and also his representatives and are looking to seal a deal, it looks like Chelsea might prefer a season long loan, but Saints could be looking for a permanent move, either would be acceptable though as it would enable Saints to get Jan Bednarek moved on.
If it was a permanent move the suggestion is the feel would be in the £18-20 million mark for a player who can play not only as a central defender, but also as a right back or a central midfielder.
Although we need experience in the back four, Chalobah would in some respects be a half way house, despite his youth he has almost 150 appearances to his name in both League & cups at a first team level including his loan spells.