Saints have been linked with a move for one of Mauricio Pochettino’s former Espanyol stars.

Midfielder Joan Verdu, 29, was signed by the new Saints manager from Barcelona in the summer of 2009.

His current contract expires this summer.

Pochettino has also been linked with Anderlecht striker Lucas Biglia.

The Argentine, who has been on strike at his club after trying to engineer a move, has only scored three goals in 27 Belgian League and Champion League games this season.