Southampton writer Dan Sheldon has claimed that Ralph Hasenhuttl may feel his transfer business is done, although the team could do with a new central midfielder before the transfer window shuts.
With only a short amount of time left in the transfer market, many clubs will likely be weighing up any last-minute attempts to bring in new signings.
The Saints, however, seem to have made a number of wise purchases already this summer. Adam Armstrong was brought in to replace Danny Ings, while highly-rated youngsters such as Tino Livramento and Thierry Small have also signed for the club.
Despite this, while speaking on the Total Saints podcast, Sheldon claimed that Hasenhuttl may push the club to bring in one new face before the window closes at the end of August.
He explained his theory, saying: “They’re in a good place now, where I kind of feel like anything else is a bonus.
“You’re thinking, well, central midfield, that’s probably the only position where you haven’t got two players for every [position].
“Because Ralph wants two players for every position, and in central midfield, you’ve only got three.”
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In James Ward-Prowse, Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu, the club have three players who could be trusted to play the deeper, more traditional central midfield role.
Stuart Armstrong could be an option there at a push, but last season he was mainly used out wide by Hasenhuttl – while this season, he is yet to feature. A serious knee injury also rules out any inclusion of Will Smallbone in the near future.
At least, with Ward-Prowse signing a new contract, the club won’t have to desperately try and bring in a new face, but if the Saints manager wants that extra number to select from, he may well have to ask his board for one more signing.