According to a recent report from The Daily Star, Ruben Loftus-Cheek might be afforded the chance of a move in the January transfer window. The England international currently plays his football at Premier League giants Chelsea having come up through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, yet with just three league appearances to his name this term, one wonders whether manager Maurizio Sarri will let him leave the club in the New Year.

And Arsenal legend Ray Parlour reckons that the Blues ‘won’t stand’ in the youngster’s way were he to seek a January move, which should be of keen interest to Southampton boss Mark Hughes given just how important Loftus-Cheek was to Crystal Palace in their march towards Premier League safety last season.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the 22-year-old made the move to Selhurst Park last summer in a bid for the regular football he was unlikely to get at Chelsea, and while the Eagles began the season with seven straight defeats, Loftus-Cheek then more than played his part in their run up the table under Roy Hodgson.

In fact, the midfielder netted twice and laid on four assists in just 25 Premier League games to help inspire the club away from the relegation mire, and while those numbers aren’t exactly ground-breaking, a lot of what good Palace produced in the final third came through the Englishman - there’s a reason Gareth Southgate selected him in his England squad for the World Cup.

And with Southampton very much in a relegation battle themselves this term after a disappointing start under Hughes, the Saints chief must be looking at who he can sign in January to help inspire his side away from trouble - and having done so once before, Loftus-Cheek is the man he must target.

Clearly, the South Coast outfit have to start scoring more goals if they are to remain in the top-flight this term, with their paltry tally of eight from their opening 12 games simply not good enough, and thus not going to get the job done.

And with 21 goals shipped in those 12 matches, it’s not as if they are water-tight at the other end either to underline their desperate need for attacking reinforcements in the New Year - Loftus-Cheek could be that man.

After losing Dusan Tadic to Ajax during the summer, alongside the fact that Mohamed Elyounoussi hasn’t quite got going following his move from Basel, it’s plainly obvious that a player of Loftus-Cheek’s ilk is needed in that midfield area - someone who can dominate the game in that position, as well as create opportunities for the front men.

As aforementioned, a lot of Palace’s best attacking play came through the 22-year-old last season to underline his influence and willingness to take responsibility in a side battling against the drop - that’s exactly what Southampton need.

And with Parlour reckoning that Chelsea wouldn’t stand in his way were he to seek a move in January, Hughes must be ready to launch a move for the £16.2 million-rated midfielder (as per Transfermarkt) - a move which could well keep his Southampton side in the Premier League.

Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!