Arron Sanders looks at one of the linked signings for Saints this transfer window and asks whether it will be ultimately his wages that will prove the stumbling block.

Southampton are interested in Atletico Madrid's Argentine Playmaker Nicolas Gaitan during the January transfer window.

Mauricio Pellegrino has been tracking the Argentine star since before Christmas, and just like fellow Argentinan Guido Carrillo knows him from his time managing a previous side.

The 29-year-old has been afforded limited first-team opportunities under Diego Simeone since joining from Benfica where his highly regarded and linked with moves to some of Europes top clubs.

Gaitan is keen on a move to the Premier League in order to boost his hopes of making Argentina's World Cup squad this summer.

Yet as with ex saint Theo Walcott his £100,000-a-week wage could prove a stumbling block for any possible deal.

West Ham had shown an interest in the midfielder but David Moyes has decided against preparing an offer in the current transfer window.

Gaitan made his name in Europe during six years with Benfica, where he won the Primera Liga three times.

He won the last of his 16 international caps in 2016 and is an outside bet to make Jorge Sampaoli's 23-man squad for Russia this Summer.

The Argentine would no doubt add some creativity which is currently lacking in the this seasons Saints side.

What do you make of the links to with Gaitan Saints fans? Would you welcome him to the South coast?

Photo: Action Images

bigrob68 added 16:08 - Jan 11 Get him
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highfield49 added 16:48 - Jan 11 Potentially a very good addition to the squad but I can't see what he adds to the mix of Redmond, Boufal, Tadic and JWP. At present he's just more of the same and not what we need in terms of getting goals. If we had quality finishers for him to pick out I'd be more enthusiastic but the priority has to be a Lambert, Pelle, Kane, Vardy, Giroud who can find the net with some regularity.

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patred added 16:53 - Jan 11 got a feeling we wont sign anyone until the very last few days. By then desperation will have set in, and that's when bad signings are made. After the last 3 unsuccessful windows, this one has to be right, otherwise we are toast.
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SaintBrock added 19:05 - Jan 11 More likely we'll get in somebody from Fleetwood Town as they admitted their recent televised Cup game was a shop window for them; everyone is for sale.
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SaintBrock added 19:05 - Jan 11 Soon be linked to Ronaldo & Messi
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aceofthebase added 19:16 - Jan 11 Ronaldo? Well why not, he has fallen behind at Real
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SaintBrock added 12:32 - Jan 12 Nice thought...
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IWOZTHERE added 19:34 - Jan 12 He seems like the type we need? Reported to be a goal scorer AND provider. That's the element we need and where the big investment is needed. Plus a big targetman IMO, even Crouchie to do a job. Wouldn't cost a fortune?
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underweststand added 21:01 - Jan 12 I think Les & Co. should put all these names in a big hat and draw out a couple, write out the cheques ASAP and give them new shirt numbers. Done and dusted. The final product would be much the same, either we'd get the poiints, or we won't allowing for "blind " referees, VAR and Shane Long going on a goal spree -no difference. If we are even remotely interested in even half of those who have been mentioned I'd be very much surprised. It's all a lottery in the end, but spending what's left of the VvD deal just for the sake of it - is pure madness. ....and it's goodnight from me.

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