RALPH Hasenhuttl avoided being drawn on the reports linking Mohammed Salisu to the club.

The central defender, who plays for Valladolid in Spain, is said to have a £10.9million release clause.

And reports coming out of Spain suggest he's on his way to St Mary's this summer.

The Daily Echo understands Salisu is on a list of potential signings but Hasenhuttl didn’t want to speculate.

Saints are one central defender down after Maya Yoshida left the club to join Sampdoria in January.

Addressing the speculation linking Salisu with a summer move to St Mary's, Hasenhuttl said: “That’s right that we are looking on this position, but I don’t want to discuss rumours.

“We always have players in our mind, especially in the centre-back position.

“It’s a position we want to do something in.”