Southampton are understood to be eyeing Atletico Madrid wonderkid Thomas Teye Partey as a potential replacement for enforcer Victor Wanyama.
As reported by the Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal remain keen on the Kenya international, and either north London giant may be primed to make a move for the powerful ex-Celtic man during the January transfer window.
The Saints are understood to be keen to keep Wanyama at the club, but with only 18 months left on his contract, Ronald Koeman is understood to be aware that he may be fighting a losing battle, according to the tabloid.
The tough-tackling midfielder was scolded by the manager last weekend following a second yellow card received against Norwich City [Sky Sports], and it remains to be seen how much longer he has left at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Should he depart, the Saints could well move for Partey, who made a massive impact last weekend when he scored a late winner to help Diego Simeone’s side defeat bottom-club Levante 1-0, as per the Mirror.
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According to talkSPORT, the Saints aren’t the only ones interested in Partey—who spent last season on loan at Almeria—with Watford having had a £7 million bid for the player rejected by Atleti already during the transfer window.