Southampton fans might be deciding between new names in goal but former skipper Francis Benali has dropped a crushing argument to deflate those wishful thoughts.
Portsmouth has out-shopped Southampton three times in this window, and boasts a full stock trio of number one candidates. Still, ranking them above the Saints having a smaller keeping pool, will be ridiculed from every corner of the fanbase.
The real concern, however, is Aaron Ramsdale's Newcastle presentation. Southampton fans will have repeatedly seen Aaron Ramsdale's smiling face at his Newcastle presentation and have sighed the very next moment, because the mood back home is anything but smile-worthy.
Southampton don't just have to stay inside the top-half like Portsmouth, they have to go all the way to the Premier League podium. Hence, they will need the best pair of hands wearing the Saints gloves, and the most convenient one could be Viktor Johansson.
Johansson and other expensive names snubbed by Benali
And goalkeepers might be cheaper than forwards but don't confuse it for the Swede coming near Michel Ange-Balikwisha's transfer fee. The former will cost a lot and while Saints can bear the bill, former captain Francis Benali has given a crushing blow to this argument.
In his own words, the Daily Echo quoted Benali's viewpoint: "I'm sure they will be looking to make a Joe Lumley-esque signing. While we could dip into the market for a new number one, the financial implications of doing so without actually selling Ramsdale do not add up."
There goes down the keeping upgrade excitement, but deep down it's hard to disagree with Benali's conservative-ness. Spending beyond your means when you've a player half-in and half-out of the club on loan, leaves plenty of position complicacies for the future.
Because it'll be a headache to choose from Premier League-seasoned Ramsdale, Championship-tested Johansson and a Gavin Bazunu hopefully picking form.