Southampton supporters in the Transfer Tavern were left reasonably satisfied by their team over the weekend after seeing the Saints twice come from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Newcastle United, thus bringing to an end a run of three straight defeats at St Mary’s.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men were beaten by Wolves, Watford, and Manchester United in their previous three home clashes prior to the Magpies’ visit, and looked like succumbing again when goals from Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez twice gave the North East giants the lead. However, striker Manolo Gabbiadini bagged a brace, the second from the spot after Florian Lejeune needlessly bundled over Shane Long, to secure a much-needed point for the South Coast outfit, a result which had moved them up to tenth in the Premier League table although West Brom’s draw at Leicester on Monday night saw them slip back into the bottom half.

Ultimately though, it was an improved display from Pellegrino’s side, although concerns over the striking woes won’t be entirely banished as a result of netting more than one goal in a game for only the second time this season.

And it appears that they may look to bolster their ranks in January, as recent reports suggest that the Saints are lining up a move for Barcelona outcast Paco Alcacer.

The 24-year-old moved to the Nou Camp back in 2016 but has unsurprisingly struggled for regular football at the Spanish giants, and as such his future there remains uncertain following a summer of speculation, with Southampton themselves reportedly close to sealing a deal.

Nonetheless, the Saints look set to again go in for the Spaniard in January, and here are TWO other players that could follow Alcacer to St Mary’s in the New Year…

Ben Gibson

There was heavy speculation over the summer regarding the future of Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, given that he was a rare bright spark in an otherwise dismal Premier League campaign for the North East outfit.

Nonetheless, the 24-year-old remained at the Riverside Stadium and has since started all 12 of their Championship matches, yet with the future of Virgil van Dijk far from certain, Southampton may seek to reignite their interest in the Englishman in January.

Were van Dijk to leave, Pellegrino would be slightly short of options at centre-back, yet given Gibson’s endeavours last term for Boro, as well as his undoubted potential, a move to St Mary’s could be in the offing for the defender come the New Year.

Luciano Vietto

Luciano Vietto made the move to Atletico Madrid back in 2015 after impressing at Villarreal and Racing Club, yet things haven’t quite gone to plan for the 23-year-old in the Spanish capital.

The Argentine has scored just three goals in 34 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side and was shipped out on loan to La Liga rivals Sevilla last season, further underlining his lowly position in the pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano.

And although he has appeared five times in the league this term, Vietto has yet to score and didn’t feature in their matchday squad against Barcelona last weekend, and as such his time at Atletico could well be coming to an end in January.

Southampton were reportedly interested in the forward during the summer but no deal materialised, yet with Vietto unlikely to command regular football in Spain between now and the New Year, the Saints should look to reignite their interest in the 23-year-old when the window reopens.