Sky Sports are reporting that Saints are chasing a signing that would truly excite the supporters and smash the club's transfer record, although as we know being linked with a player is a long way from signing him.

Saints appear to be getting serious about spending the Van Dyke money according to Sky Sports, the target in question is Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes.

Promes has been impressive for Spartak since joining in 2014 for around £13 million and it will cost a lot more than that to bring him to England, Sky say Spartak's starting price is nearer £30 million.

So who is Quincy Promes ?

He is a 26 year old Dutch International who although predominantly a left winger can also play on the right or directly through the middle, this season he has played 17 League games for Spartak and scored 10 goals and 6 assists, in the Champions League he played 5 times scoring twice and the same number of assists and add to that 3 Russian cup games and 3 goals and he has had a pretty impressive season so far. 25 games, 15 goals and 8 assists for those who do not have a calculator handy.

His career total at Spartak is just as impressive, in 101 league games so far for them he has scored 53 goals with 26 assists, that is the story wherever he has played and in his 25 caps for the Netherlands he has scored 4 times and assisted in another 4.

If all this is not enough he was also the Russian Footballer Of The Year in 2017 and Jurgen Klopp likened him to Sadio Mane after Liverpool's games against Spartak earlier this season saying.

"he can shoot very quickly and is a proper striker".

The player himself is said to be interested in a move to the Premier League although with over three years left on his contract as reported he won't come cheaply, but having only turned 26 a couple of weeks ago he is of an age where we can get real value for our money.

All in all he looks just like the sort of player that Saints need at this time and perhaps they are realising that having made a few extra bob on holding out to Virgil Van Dijk that perhaps it is time to up the ante in their outgoing transfer payments, it is certainly soething they can afford.

Some Saints fans complain that Saints have not properly replaced either Pelle or Mane and whilst not strictly true given that Charlie Austin was signed in advance to replace Pelle, it seems now that if they sign Guido Carrillo and Promes, they will have two players in that mould who will offer a lot in attack.

Of course being linked is a long way from getting them to sign, but it is a sign that the club although saying little are being proactive, they would of course prefer to get the signings done and then put the word out, but clearly that is impossible in this day and age.

Saints have the basis of a good squad now, signing Promes and Carrillo would boost it, however they should not forget the need to bring in a decent central defender as well.

All in all though even if they have to pay top dollar for Promes, they should still have enough for Carrillo and a central defender, given that on top of the Van Dijk money they are also likely to be able to sell on a couple of members of the squad who would be pushed further down the pecking order.

Photo: Action Images

DorsetIan added 16:55 - Jan 19 Whatever happens, it doesn't look like they'll be any additions to the squad before Sunday. Difficult to be optimistic about the result and I wonder, if we have already dropped into the bottom three before the game (Stoke beat Huddersfield tomorrow) and we get properly thumped again, whether that could just be the final nail for MP? If RK is lined up, he would then be ready to start spending in the last 10 days...Everything is so tight survival from here should really not be that difficult...

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redandwhitedee added 20:10 - Jan 19 Controversial, I know, but I would contend that we don’t actually need any new players. We have a very good squad as it is. All we really need is a decent coaching staff with experience and tactical ability to get them firing. We have a fantastic mix of midfielders, exciting attackers in gabbi and Long - yes and redmond !, experienced defenders (when all fit) and experienced goalkeepers. Our bench is stronger than I can remember at any time since the Chris Nichol days. Spend the cash on compensating this failed gamble manager’s departure and paying for a fresh Coaching team with personality and passion to lift the current players ... and maybe an ounce or two of tactical common sense. A new player or 2 will not change the nonsensical substitutions and the lack of passion or team spirit. That will remain, we will just be a few bob poorer.

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dirk_doone added 21:51 - Jan 19 pintsizedsaint writes as if he really believes this story/club PR. Is anybody really THAT stupid?
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Jesus_02 added 22:28 - Jan 19 Klopp is reported to be a fan.. I can see this happening.. in a season or so Mane will be linked to Spain
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skiptonsaint added 10:12 - Jan 20 Massive moment for the club. I'll accept Redmond and Boufal where Mane replacements but Austin for Pelle no. He was cheap because he is very injury prone and we have also lost Jrod We must not buy squad players now and one bit of good news is I feel Everton have now spent their money and we now have the money to outspend the teams normally linked with players we are linked with ie Palace, West Ham etc So with both Promes and Carrillo there appears to be nothing stopping us... If money is tight then Redmond or Gabbi out on loan ? Rather not Gabbi but if he is going to just sit on the bench what is the point.

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saintfrance added 11:24 - Jan 21 Well here we are sitting in the bottom three with little chance of moving out today more likely to have more humiliation heaped upon us. I like many others was hopefull this manager would energise and organise the players, instead he has confused and demotivated them, no idea of what his best team is or where to play them, always out of best position (except goalkeeper), and never sure whether they are going to get on the pitch. His subs are always confusing to me and always too late to affect the game. Tend to agree with redandwhitedee on players.

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