Saints are facing a left back dilemma this summer as Ralph Hasenhuttl considers cashing in on one of his more sellable assets.

Hasenhuttl has two potential first choice left backs at the club in the shape of Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett.

But he also has youngster Jake Vokins as a back-up in that position and is keen to try and give the promising talent increased opportunities next season.

That is very unlikely to happen while both Bertrand and Targett remain at St Mary’s.

And while Saints don’t want to lose quality in any area of the squad, in a summer where they need to move players on and are struggling to find takers for some of the players they would wish to shed, a deal to lose one left back could be a compromise Hasenhuttl decides he is prepared to make.

Targett is the subject of enquires from both newly promoted Aston Villa as well as relegated Fulham.

There have also been whispers behind the scenes that there is interest in Bertrand.

The former Chelsea man will turn 30 before the start of the new season and has only two years remaining on his contract. It is also already thought that Saints would not offer another long term deal after this one expires and so potential suitors know he is available at a reasonable price.

At 23-years-old and as a product of the club’s academy, Targett would appear to be more in line with what Hasenhuttl wants in terms of his team going forward.

However, Targett is believed to be keen to kick on in his career and become a first team regular.

The club blocked him moving on to Fulham last summer after his successful loan spell helped them achieve promotion to the Premier League.

But that has then been followed by Targett being limited to 13 Premier League starts for Saints last season.

There is a feeling at the club that they cannot reasonably continue to block his progress, especially when he is coveted by other clubs who would give him the chance to play.

But they are also loathed to lose him, which then puts Bertrand’s future straight back under the microscope.

Selling Targett would be an easy deal for Saints to make due to concrete interest in him from a number of clubs.

While selling Bertrand may appeal more the club have yet to receive any offers for him and so if they decide that is the way to go it is understood they will wait it out as long as needed, potentially even to deadline day if required, to try and get a deal over the line.