Ronald Koeman has confirmed Saints are interested in signing Dutch winger Eljero Elia on loan in January.

The 27-year-old, who plays for Werder Bremen, is on the verge of completing a move to St Mary’s until the end of the season, when Saints will then assess whether to secure a permanent deal.

Elia is a Dutch international and will provide valuable cover for Sadio Mane who is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after the FA Cup third round tie with Ipswich.

Saints are not expected to make any permanent signings in the January window but Elia would represent a shrewd piece of business according to Koeman.

He said: “If finally the player signs for Southampton I think it’s a good option because what I said before we need at least one player in front because we will lose Sadio Mane in January as he will play the Africa Cup. We need a player on that position.

“He was a Dutch international, had not such a good period in Germany, but I believe in the qualities of the player.”

He added: “He’s a wing player and normally we play always with a left wing player, right wing player, and we like in our style fast people who can play one against one and with qualities.

“He’s one of our options.”