Saints are believed to be monitoring the progress of Virgil Van Dijk's central defensive partner at Celtic last season.

Saints are reported to be interested in Jason Denayer the Belgium International defender who partnered Virgil Van Dijk in the Celtic defence last season.

Denayer who is still only 20 played 29 times in the Scottish Premier for the Glasgow club last season scoring 5 goals and forming a solid partnership with Van Dijk.

Although Denayer was at Celtic he was only on loan from Manchester City whom he joined in 2013 from the JMG Academy in his home country of Belgium, on returning to the Etihad in the summer he signed a contract for a further five years with City after playing for the first team squad in several friendlies abroad, however he did not make the City Premier League squad and joined Galatasaray on loan in August for the season.

Denayer like many players that Saints sign these days is able to play in a number of positions and has been playing for the Turkish side at right back on occasion, however he has not been a regular in the side.

Denayer made his full International International debut for Belgium in March of this year and so far has 3 full caps.

Whether City would be prepared to let Denayer join Saints is another matter, however he is nowhere near their first team at present and with him not getting much game time at Galatasaray, they might be prepared to let him join on loan in January.

Saints are reported to have had scouts at the Turkish sides Champions League fixture at Benfica yesterday when Denayer played 74 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to the Lisbon side.

How much of an influence Virgil Van Dijk has been in alerting Saints to his talents is unclear, after all Saints monitored Van Dijk last season so must have also by default watched Denayer.

One thing is for sure, Denayer holds his ex Celtic team mate in high esteem commenting about playing alongside Van Dijk:

"We play well together and he is a very good player", adding "I am also learning from him as well. He has more experience than me and he knows what to say to me. I listen to him because I know he can help make me a better player."

Photo: Action Images

saint68 added 13:29 - Nov 4 Get the cheque book out les.
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BaselSaint added 15:28 - Nov 4 Fantastic spot, as is Quintero. Very encouraging and forward thinking.
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BaselSaint added 10:39 - Nov 5 Although I thought Van Dijk`s old partner was Mary Tyler Moore.
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darthvader added 08:13 - Nov 10 But he loved Mary poppins more
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