Saints are in the hunt for Charlton midfielder Nicky Bailey.

Though the Addicks have confirmed that they are yet to receive a firm bid for their captain, the cash strapped club are under pressure to sell to fund another season in League One.

As revealed by the Daily Echo last week, Alan Pardew is looking for a box-to-box, goalscoring central midfielder and Bailey, who he signed for Charlton in 2008, fits that bill perfectly.

After Charlton lost out in the play-offs, with Bailey missing the decisive penalty in the semi-final shootout with Swindon, the Addicks are facing having to offload players and Bailey, who scored 13 goals last season, is their most valuable asset.

Saints will face competition for his signature though with Norwich also poised to make a move and West Brom, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough said to be monitoring the situation.

Addicks boss Phil Parkinson said: “We haven’t had any direct contact from anyone about Nicky.

“The reality is that one or two might have to go. I’ve always said I want to keep my best players and I’ll continue to fight hard to do that.”

Bailey is believed to be one of a number of potential Saints targets for that central midfield summer signing.

Chris Lines of Bristol Rovers and Brian Stock of Doncaster are also amongst potential candidates.

However, Pardew’s links with Bailey make the 25-year-old a front runner.

Bailey started his career playing non-league football for Sutton United and Barnet before a £175,000 switch to Southend.

After one season at Roots Hall, Pardew paid a fee that could reach £750,000 to take Bailey to the Valley.

Saints are not expecting to do much business this summer but want to get it done early as possible – as was seen with Ryan Dickson having a medical at Saints ahead of an expected switch from Brentford.