SAINTS’ boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is hopeful of completing a deal for Brest midfielder Ibrahima Diallo ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Diallo, 21, is reported to have agreed a four-year deal with the St Mary’s side and is set to undergo a medical over the next 24 hours.

The move for the France under-21 international is said to be worth some £12.7million.

Saints had previously been heavily linked with a move for Ibrahim Sangare, who has instead joined PSV Eindhoven from Toulouse.

But speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against West Brom (noon), Hasenhuttl was hopeful of getting a deal for Diallo completed.

He said: “First we must wait until everything is finished.

“I have seen so many things in this transfer window that finally the deal didn’t happen.

“Let us wait until he is here and then we can speak about how important it is.

“We know we have to bring players in, we lost a few players, we have to do something and hopefully this deal will happen.”

Diallo, who came through the youth ranks at Monaco, has also been a reported target of Leicester City.

Saints boss Hasenhuttl has seen his midfield options lightened throughout the summer.

Former skipper Pierre-Emile Højbjerg joined Tottenham for £15million, before Harrison Reed was sold to Fulham for £8million following a successful loan spell. Mario Lemina has also been loaned to the Cottagers.

Saints have until 11pm on Monday to bring in players from abroad to add to their squad.