For any Football League player, interest from Southampton must seem like winning the lottery with their record of being able to nurture talented individuals…

Though this often excites the Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern, they also are accepting of the idea that they could lose their stars if bigger clubs with better finances come calling offering their players conditions that they, sadly, cannot match – examples in recent times include Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane.

With that being said, the Saints have always been able to rebuild their squad and this season has been no different with the South Coast side sitting pretty in the middle of the table.

Claude Puel has made a good fist of his first job in English football and although he endured a tricky festive period, our landlord fully expects him to dip into the transfer market with the Football League being a potential goldmine.

Here are 2 players more than capable of making the step up to the Premier League…

Jacob Murphy

With former Norwich star Nathan Redmond proving an instant hit with the resident Saints fans in the Transfer Tavern – our landlord would not be surprised to see Claude Puel make a move for Norwich midfielder Jacob Murphy.

A pacey and powerful prospect, Murphy has been instrumental in Norwich’s push for promotion thus far and he could certainly do a job in the Premier League.

Southampton could really do with a bit of energy on the flanks, and Murphy would definitely provide that.

Lewis Dunk

Lewis Dunk has performed well for Brighton this season, but he could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

Solid defensively, Lewis Dunk has been vital – with Brighton fighting for Championship glory this season – and his passing draws parallels with that of Virgin van Dijk, who is currently playing for the Saints.

It would take a big move to tempt him to leave the club, but Southampton have been able to lure some the Football League’s best in the past, and they could do the same again.