Saints fans in the Football Transfer Tavern reckon Southampton’s prime transfer target is already at the club.

If they can maintain the services of Virgil van Dijk this summer with the addition of some promising talent the Saints could surprise a few this season, however, it is now not looking likely that the Dutchman will stay at St Mary’s.

In truth, the south-coast side have surprised all of us by maintaining their top 10 status year after year.

That’s despite the club’s annual summer raid which sees their best players often snatched by Liverpool.

The Reds have returned this summer in pursuit of Van Dijk, but Jurgen Klopp’s side were forced to make an embarrassing public apology to Saints and end interest after the south coast side complained to the Premier League about tapping up.

With the signing of Polish centre-back Jan Bednarek and more additions surely on their way, new boss Mauricio Pellegrino could have an exciting squad for the opening day.

Which means these TWO players are likely to not be in Pellegrino’s first match day squad next season…

Paulo Gazzaniga

The 25-year-old Argentinian keeper is attracting interest from a range of foreign clubs, and Saints are believed to be open minded to allowing him to move on, either permanently or on another loan.

Gazzaniga spent last season on-loan at Rayo Vallecano where he made 32 appearances for the La Liga 2 side.

With Fraser Forster holding down the number one spot and Alex McCarthy second in line, the Argentine’s opportunities are limited.

Jordy Clasie

It’s not worked out for the Dutchman who showed a lot of promise in the early part of his Southampton tenure.

Clasie was dropped by Claude Puel and made just 12 starts in the Premier League last season.

A report in The Sun has suggested that the former Ajax is a target for Serie A side Lazio, who want to sign him on loan with a view to making a permanent move next summer.