Southampton fans in the Football Transfer Tavern will certainly be concerned with their lack of options at centre-half.

With captain Jose Fonte leaving for West Ham last week, and then new skipper Virgil van Dijk picking up an injury against Leicester City that sidelined him for the League Cup semi-final second leg tie against Liverpool at Anfield.

The feeling among the Saints supporters standing at the bar is that they must bring in a new centre-back before the January transfer window slams shut, with Maya Yoshida and youngster Jack Stephens the only natural and fully fit players in that position right now – the landlord knows that is a precarious position to be in depending on what the diagnosis of Van Dijk’s problem is.

While they kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win against Leicester City at St Mary’s on Sunday, the south coast outfit’s rearguard had looked shaky in their previous Premier League fixtures – they let in three against Everton and four at home to Tottenham over the festive period – something that the fans that frequent the tavern haven’t been used to in recent years.

Southampton boss Claude Puel simply must look to sign ONE of these TWO centre-backs before next Tuesday..

Mamadou Sakho

As soon as Jose Fonte requested to leave Southampton earlier this month, the south coast outfit were quickly linked with potential replacements for the Euro 2016 winner, with most of their interest seeming to come in out-of-favour Liverpool centre-back Sakho – the fans standing at the bar wouldn’t turn their noses up at bringing in a France international.

It is a move that makes sense in a lot ways, too. Firstly, both the 26-year-old and Saints boss Claude Puel are French, and Sakho certainly fits the profile of the type of addition that Southampton have made in the last few seasons – he is a good age, plays for his country and will want regular first team football.

However, they will have been put off by the £20m valuation that their Premier League rivals have placed on the defender’s head, and it is a fee that will probably have to come down if a deal is to be completed by next Tuesday – the landlord knows Saints won’t pay over the odds for a player!

Harry Maguire

Along with Everton and former boss Ronald Koeman, Southampton were linked with Hull City’s impressive centre-back this week.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a positive season at the heart of the Tigers’ defence this term despite their struggles on and off the pitch, and he put in a brilliant man of the match performance in his side’s 2-0 defeat against Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday – the Saints fans standing at the bar would have seen a defender who has a bright future at Stamford Bridge.

Maguire showed how he can have an impact at both ends of the pitch by making seven clearances and eight interceptions, as well as having four efforts at goal.

The former Sheffield United player is out of contract in 18 months and with few signs that he will sign a new one, he could even be available for a reduced transfer fee – the landlord loves a bit of a value for money!

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.