Saints have bids in for players and are hoping to push ahead for a new signing in the next 48 hours.

Executive director Les Reed confirmed the club have moved swiftly to try and add another fresh face following Toby Alderweireld’s decision to move to Spurs rather than St Mary’s.

Though Saints have added extra depth to their back line, they are likely to recruit another centre half following Alderweireld’s snub.

Reed said: “We have contacted clubs and made enquiries and bids as we speak, and we will be following that up in the next 48 hours to try and get something over the line as quickly as possible.

“What’s important for Ronald is we get these players in so they are in pre-season training long enough to be prepared properly, which again is different to last year when it was all coming a bit late.

“We’ve got options and we’ve got initial bids in to see what we can do and we will continue to do that until we get someone over the line.”