Most Saints fans would say that Russell Martin should prioritise a Goalkeeper, striker & central midfielder in that order, but the manager also has other targets that in the meantime he is pursuing and they say there is no smoke without fire and with a winger also seeming to be a priority it is natural to be linked with a few.
Read social media surrounding Southampton FC and you will read a lot of the same thing and that is why we are not being linked with signings in key positions, yet we are chasing other targets.
The answer is that we are likely exploring all our options, we keep our cards close to our chest but that does not stop others speculating in the media and of course there is then to good old rumour spread by agents.
So I think the latest rumour on givemesport.com could well be the latter.
According to this report Ipswich Town have had an £18 million bid for winger Jack Clarke turned down and are looking for nearer £25 million and Southampton are said to be keen.
Just how keen they actually are is open to speculation and most reports put Clarke's actual value to be around the £18 million the Tractor Boys have tabled.
Clarke was undoubtably a big success for the Mackems last term scoring 15 goals and 4 assists in the Championship, he was a big factor in our 5-0 defeat up at the Stadium Of Light back in September and luckily for us missed their 4-2 defeat at St Mary's.
So are Saints willing to up the ante on this one, indeed how higher are Ipswich willing to go, I would suggest that £25 million for Clarke who is untried at Premier League level is a lot of money and with Clarke being primarily a left winger, if we signed him it would spell the end of our interest in signing Ryan Fraser on a permanent basis.