Dan Neil looks as if he'll be Southampton's next summer signing, with the Saints already welcoming Cyle Larin, Daniel Peretz, and George Long through the door.
Reports suggest that Tonda Eckert's men are currently in advanced talks to sign the energetic 24-year-old on a free transfer, just mere seasons on from him being Sunderland's passionate captain, as they won promotion to the Premier League.
Southampton fans will be over the moon with this transfer update, as it was clear that the Saints needed some midfield reinforcements, with other matters going on at St. Mary's.
Southampton is being proactive
Landing Neil on a free transfer is a very shrewd move, with the South Shields-born battler a three-time promotion winner when plying his trade in the EFL.
Away from his clear promotion nous, he is also a purchase that needed to be made with the backdrop that Shea Charles - one of Southampton's leading men in the middle - is being chased by Leeds United.
The latest update indicates that the Whites have come back in with a bid of £25m for the Northern Ireland international, with Eckert and Co. originally waving away a £20m bid for the ex-Manchester City youth product.
Neil will be seen as a like-for-like replacement for Charles, if he does up and leave for Elland Road shortly, with the soon-to-be free agent keen to get involved in attacks, like the number 24, alongside remaining resolute and switched on defensively.
If Southampton were to pocket £25m, they woud likely put that back into the playing squad, with another position on the pitch in need of some reinforcements, away from central midfield.
They need to recruit in this position next
Some of this cash could be splashed out on further midfield recruits, with the likes of Caspar Jander being looked at by Bundesliga clubs, and Hibernian's Josh Mulligan touted as another target centrally.
But, a more urgent position that needs filling with more talent is the striker spot in Eckert's team, with Ross Stewart nowhere to be seen anymore, as he failed to agree on a contract extension on the South Coast.
This development has stung, with his 11 goals last season making him a wonderful figure to have up top, alongside Larin.
Therefore, a new striker is a must, especially if Cameron Archer also departs, amid interest in his hit-and-miss services from West Bromwich Albion.
In a previous article for Saints Marching, the possibility of Richard Kone joining the depleted striker ranks was mentioned, with 11 goals in all competitions last campaign for Queens Park Rangers, making him a more than competent replacement for the departing Scotsman.
It really depends on what route Southampton will go down when actively searching for a new talismanic centre-forward, with the added cash injection from Charles' possible departure making it a very real possibility that a standout purchase is acquired.
There is the path of adding in another astute free transfer to the camp; however, as Callum Wilson has been speculated as being on Southampton's radar, having previously been a Championship goal machine on the books of the Saints' adjoining South Coast neighbours, AFC Bournemouth.
Whatever route is taken, the next purchase - after Neil's deal is confirmed - should be a fresh striker, with Larin hopefully bouncing off of a new, lethal strike partner when the first ball is kicked in August.
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