After conceding four goals against Middlesbrough in their last game, improving Southampton's back line was what was needed most. The Saints are currently winless in their last Championship games, and are in danger of their season fizzling out.
Daniel Peretz was brought in from Bayern Munich on loan to replace goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The Israeli keeper has played seven times for Bayern and was most recently loaned out to Hamburger SV. However, he was only used in two DFB-Pokal games for Hamburger, as they overlooked him for Bundesliga 2 action.
He kept a clean sheet against Heidenheim in a 1-0 win for Hamburg in the cup. In the next round, he conceded once in a 1-1 draw with Holstein Kiel before his side lost on penalties.
Southampton's defensive problems go beyond their goalkeeper, and at least another center-back needs to be brought in to improve Tonda Eckert's side.
Who could Southampton still sign in January?
Southampton have recently been linked with Roggerio Nyakossi of Oud-Heverlee Leuven. However, the 21-year-old appears to be one for the future for the Saints.
Nyakossi is currently enduring a difficult campaign with OH Leuven, who are currently 13th in the Belgian Pro League. He also has limited experience, having previously played for Marseille B and the Swiss side, Servette. The center-back is also a Switzerland U21 international.
If Southampton is to sign a defender for now, then they should look at Santiago Ramos Mingo. He is 24 years old and plays in Brazil's top flight for Esporte Clube Bahia.
Ramos Mingo also played for OH Leuven, after coming through the ranks at Boca Juniors and then Barcelona. He never played for Barca's first team but did represent their B team. Following his spell in Belgium, Mingo returned to Argentina with Defensa y Justicia before joining Bahia.
Southampton, of course, has the club captain, Jack Stephens, as one center-back. They also have Taylor Harwood-Bellis. However, conceding 38 goals in just 26 Championship games is not good enough for a team that was in the Premier League this season.
Remarkably, the Saints have also scored just 38 goals. English soccer's second tier is very competitive, and just two back-to-back victories can catapult a team into playoff contention. The Saints are on a bad run of form, but should they continue to strengthen in January, then you never know what could unfurl.