Saints transfer radar is still in full swing despite what the club may say publicly and the latest link is to a deal with Sunderland
Lamine Kone is the latest central defender to be linked with a move to St Mary's, although born in Paris and playing for the French International set up to U20 level he has represented the Ivory Coast at full international level and joined Sunderland in January 2016 and helped them escape relegation that season although the following year he was not so lucky.
Sunderland are willing to sell at the right price, but what that price is is unclear.
Everton have been interested in him in the past, but the two clubs linked now appear to be Saints and West Ham who are already looking to move Jose Fonte on after a less than impressive start to his career with them last season.
Kone knows what the Premier League is all about so would be less of a gamble than soe others who have been linked.