Daily Echo:

Saints are leading the movement to have the Premier League transfer window close before the start of the season.

They have suffered more than most as uncertainty over the future of various players has spilled through the summer and into the opening weeks of the campaign.

Multiple clubs have had to deal with situations like that surrounding Virgil van Dijk this year, and it has led to potential change, with bosses set to vote on the matter as Premier League clubs meet on September 7.

They need a two-thirds majority to get the move through, but all the indications are that they will succeed, meaning the rule will change before the start of next season.

Saints chairman Ralph Krueger said: “We are one of the biggest fans of that (the transfer window closing before the start of the season) and we have been a proponent of that for a couple of years now.

“As you know we have been one that has had the toughest last two weeks in August. We don't mind September 1 as a date! As a date to kind of go 'yes, the door is closed.’ “We are a huge proponent of that happening before the season starts because for me, the managers in this league can't really go to work until September 1.

“100 per cent you don't own your dressing room until then and I believe it is better for the product, for the football, the managers, the fans, for everybody so let’s clear this up before the season starts.

“We have been a huge proponent of that.

“I was quite shocked my first summer. When I came in I said 'what?' And you remember that first summer. It was like 'wow' welcome to the Premier League.”