Saints have been linked with a move for exciting Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Fenerbache, has been widely reported in the Turkish media as having met with Saints officials to discuss a possible move to St Mary’s.

The Turkish giants are said to be interested in trying to take centre half Jose Fonte in the opposite direction.

Stoch has gained a strong reputation as an exciting left sided winger but is said to be keen to move on after a falling out with Fenerbache’s former manager and a lack of chances which meant he started only 12 games last season.

After impressing in a youth tournament Stoch signed for Chelsea’s academy and progressed through the ranks at Stamford Bridge but found first team chances hard to come by and left the club in 2010 having played just four first team games for the Blues.

During his last season as a Chelsea player he went on loan at FC Twente in Holland and caught the eye with ten league goals in 32 appearances.

That prompted Fenerbache to pay Chelsea €5.5m for him in 2010.

In his first season in Turkey he settled in with two goals from 23 appearances before really making his name in 2012/13 with 12 goals from 33 games.

Last season was one to forget and now the 37 cap Slovakian international is understood to be looking for a new challenge but with three years remaining on his contract he will not come cheap.

Fenerbache are said to be eyeing any potential deal as a possible way to recruit Fonte in return.

The Saints centre half has helped the club to back-to-back promotions and then to stabilise in the Premier League.

After a tough start to last season the 29-year-old bounced back to finish the season as a regular fixture in the side.

Saints have though just splashed out £8.5m on centre half Dejan Lovren and have Maya Yoshida, Jos Hooiveld and last season’s £4m recruit Vegard Forren also competing for those places.