SAINTS have today been linked with a loan move for Spanish midfielder Iago Falque.

The 22-year-old, who is capable of playing out wide, is currently on a season-long loan at Tottenham Hotspur, from parent club Juventus.

However, it has been reported this morning that White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp - who has little room for the player in his Spurs side - would like to send him to Saints to gain some first-team experience.

Falque played for Real Madrid and Barcelona during his youth team days, before joining Juventus in 2008.

He has failed to make much of an impact there, and has been sent on loan to Bari and Villarreal B, as well as Spurs.

However, he has been capped for Spain at under-21 level, and won the European Under-17 Championships with his country in 2007.

Under FIFA regulations, Juventus and Falque would both need to give their permission for the player to be loaned to a third party.

It has also been suggested this morning that Chelsea and Manchester City have joined Arsenal in the race to sign 16-year-old Saints full-back Luke Shaw.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Arsenal's chief scout was understood to have watched the England Under-17 international in the FA Youth Cup third round win over Sheffield United, at St Mary's, in December.

Shaw - an unused substitute in last Saturday's FA Cup third round victory at Coventry - is said to be rated at about £4m.

For all the rumours from the January transfer window, make sure you visit the Daily Echo's transfer rumour round-up.