SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reportedly wants to sign midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves – paying up to £20million.

The 22-year-old England youth international has enjoyed a loan spell at Championship outfit Sheffield United this season.

Gibbs-White scored 12 goals, including in the play-off semi-final, as his team just fell short of a place at Wembley to vie for Premier League promotion.

The youngster has also deputised in a number of positions up the core of the team to striker, as the Blades wrestled with injury and unavailability.

The Sun now report that Wolves face a battle to keep hold of Gibbs-White, who is ready for first-team Premier League football.

They suggest Hasenhuttl is a fan and would be willing to part with £20million of his summer chest to acquire the talented prospect.

Gibbs-White fits the model for a Saints signing with the potential to grow and attract a larger fee from a top club in just a couple of seasons at St Mary’s.

But it remains to be seen whether the club will stretch to the fee Wolves will likely command for their academy graduate, under new owners Sport Republic.

The Athletic also report that Wolves want to reward Gibbs-White with a new contract, after Bruno Lage surprised supporters not giving him first-team football last season.

Debuting in 2016-17 while the Black Country outfit were in the Championship, Gibbs-White has already made 86 appearances for the club.

They add to six and 37 senior games for Swansea City and Sheffield United in respective loan spells.

The Under-17 World Cup champion would add impressive experience and versatility to any non-top-six Premier League side this summer.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News