FORMER England striker Darren Bent described the work of Ralph Hasenhuttl at Saints as “brilliant”, adding: “I really like what they’re doing down there.”

After a slow start to the campaign, Hasenhuttl guided his side to an 11th-placed finish in the Premier League following a fine run of form throughout Project Restart.

Saints lost just one of their nine games after the resumption in June, picking up points against Man Utd and Man City along the way.

“I really like Ralph Hasenhuttl,” Bent told Football Insider.

“I think he’s been brilliant and I really like what they’re doing down there.”

Saints midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is understood to be closing in on a switch to Tottenham, while young Spurs ace Oliver Skipp has been tipped for a potential loan move the other way.

Skipp has been linked with a host of clubs in recent weeks, including newly-promoted Fulham.

“I really like what Southampton are doing so I’d probably say Southampton,” Bent said when asked where the young midfielder should go.

“It looks as though Hojbjerg is going to go to Spurs, I think he’s going to go so there’s a spot there.

“They’ve got a nice young mix and blend of players so I’d probably say go down there.

“It’s a nice place to live, it’s beautiful down there, it’s not too far from London as well so I’m all for the Southampton move.”

Central midfielder Skipp, 19, came through the Spurs academy and has featured 26 times in all competitions for the first-team, most recently in the season-closing 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. He has also featured for youth teams with England, making his debut for the under-21s in October 2019.