Southampton has its eye on this star who is lighting up the World Cup

The World Cup might be in full swing right now, but that isn't stopping Southampton from being linked to a wide array of summer signings.

Indeed, a new report from TEAMTalk has come out to suggest that the Saints are chasing after Hibernian's Josh Mulligan, with both Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham interested alongside them.

This would be a deal that makes a lot of sense, as Mulligan has shone as a central midfield option for Hibs, and Shea Charles looks as if he'll be off this summer, with plenty of Premier League interest in his services.

Southampton might not be done here when it comes to freshening up their midfield choices, however, with another Scottish Premiership gem allegedly on their radar, who has a link to this year's unfurling World Cup.

Southampton looking to sign World Cup star

Elijah Just has played all over the globe during his short career to date, with the 5-foot-9 playmaker lining up for the likes of Helsingor in Denmark, and SKN ST Pollen in Austria, before moving to Motherwell last summer.

He has announced himself to the world even more with his red-hot contributions for the All Whites, too, with a brace picked up against Iran helping Darren Bazeley's underdogs to a breathless 2-2 draw during New Zealand's recent World Cup opener.

Off the back of this magic in Group C, Just has been noted as being a target on the Saints' shopping list this summer, as per Football Insider, alongside both Celtic and Rangers, who will know Just well from his domestic exploits.

Capable of playing down either wing, or through the middle as a number ten, Just could be a terrific purchase, with Dragan Solak recently coming out to state that the South Coast club needs a back-up attacking midfielder to ensure Finn Azaz isn't overplayed.

With nerves of steel, as well, to score in the World Cup for his nation, the hope will be that the 26-year-old can acclimatise to the Championship well, if he is secured, with a blistering season in the Scottish Premiership for Motherwell still fresh in the memory.

He could be an excellent purchase

Southampton have history plucking gems from the Scottish leagues, too, with Virgil Van Dijk once purchased from Celtic as a relative unknown entity. Now, he's the face of Liverpool.

From only 43 games for Motherwell, Just has made enough of a mark to warrant a big move to England, with a red-hot seven goals and eight assists next to his name.

Switching effortlessly between positions across the course of the campaign just gone, Eckert would surely love to have the 45-time New Zealand international at his disposal, with his ex-Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou hailing him as a player with "a highly developed game intelligence."

He showed that against Iran with two calm finishes on the break, with the versatile 26-year-old presumably dreaming of an eventual Premier League opportunity with the Saints, if a move can get over the line, to match the likes of international teammate Chris Wood, who plays for Nottingham Forest.

This has all the makings of being an inspired pick-up if it can be pulled off, with Just ready to pick up more goals for New Zealand, before any summer move becomes concrete.

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