There is a lot more talk in the air at the moment at Southampton regarding outgoings than incoming signings.
Indeed, the latest piece of gossip revolves around Ross Stewart and his next onward destination, after walking out on the Saints this off-season, with Swansea City reportedly close to landing the free agent Scotsman, according to EFL-focused journalist Pete O'Rourke.
There are some murmurs that Southampton will launch back into the transfer market to win some more signings, however, with hush whispers indicating that the South Coast side has a surprise purchase up their sleeve.
Ideally, a new striker would enter the ranks, to make the hole of Stewart's exit feel less gaping, but could a new central midfielder be on the Saints' radar as well?
Could Southampton sign this surprise midfielder?
Southampton could still wave goodbye to a central midfield body, when looking over other rumours of outgoings.
It has gone quiet in recent memory, but Shea Charles could be on the move between now and September's approaching deadline, with Leeds United just one of many interested parties looking at the Northern Irishman.
Therefore, it wouldn't be the greatest shock if the Saints welcomed a fresh midfielder into their ranks at some point this summer, with Saints-based writer Christian Lovegrove nominating the shout of Marcus Linday, who currently plays for Sc Heerenveen, as a possible Charles replacement.
The South Coast titans do love a look at the Scandinavian market, with Jens Hjertø-Dahl potentially also on their radar centrally from Norway.
Moreover, they'd have great success in recent times bringing in gems from these isles, with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg becoming a trusty regular in the Premier League at Southampton, after the Danish machine first joined the Saints ranks as a risky, unproven buy from Bayern Munich.
He could be their next Højbjerg
Højbjerg would go on to make 184 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, 145 of which came about in the top-flight, but his playing days in the big time in England first started on the South Coast.
Indeed, the now 30-year-old battler would first cut his teeth in the punishing division with the Saints, with a high energy 5.3 duels won on average per Premier League contest during the 2017-18 season seeing him instantly fit into his new, high octane environment.
From that point on, he very rarely shirked away from a tough tackle or a duel, with a mighty 6.4 duels won on average during his final Premier League campaign in red and white, before Spurs came calling.
With 11 goal contributions collected, as well, Højbjerg would leave St. Mary's with the reputation for being a well-rounded midfield performer, with his game only improving in North London, which led to ex-Spurs fighter Steffen Freund noting that "he will give everything to win.”
Southampton would be winning an equally lively import from Scandinavia if their advances for Linday got off the ground, with the strong Swede winning 4.8 duels last season on average in the Eredivisie for Robin Veldman's men.
With seven goal contributions also tallied up at the Abe Lenstra Stadion over the past two Dutch top-flight seasons, he could end up slotting into his new Championship home and being an instant hit like Højbjerg, if a move solidified away from being purely transfer chatter, with the two players very similar in approach.
Southampton is clearly not done in the market just yet, with more moves surely expected between now and September's looming deadline.
Could the arrival of Linday catch everyone off-guard, but prove to be a masterstroke?
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