Saints are being linked with Brentford duo Ollie Watkins and Chris Mepham.

Sky Sports have reported that manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has sent scouts to watch the pair over the last few months.

However, it states that the club are yet to launch a bid for either of them as Brentford are placing a £20m price tag on their heads.

Daily Echo:

Brentford's Chris Mepham

Watkins, 23, has netted seven goals in 25 appearances so far this season. He joined the Bees in 2017 from Exeter in a £1.7m deal.

Wales international, Mepham, is a ball-playing centre back for the Championship side, which fits the style of play Hasenhuttl is keen for Saints to adopt.

The 21-year-old is the first player to graduate from Brentford’s B team since its inception in 2016.

With Saints short up front after Manolo Gabbiadini’s exit and Wesley Hoedt seemingly having no future at the club, it’s clear these positions need filling.

Daily Echo:

Former Saint Manolo Gabbiadini

Hasenhuttl has made it clear that in order to sign players, old ones will have to be shipped out in order to free up the cash.

And with the club making £12m from the sale of Gabbiadini to Sampdoria, that will go some way to bringing in new talent.