Mauricio Pellegrino is adamant that Saints will not just conclude a big money transfer for the sake of it.

There is much that could happen before the January window slams shut tomorrow night after Saints have played a crucial bottom of the table clash against Brighton.

Pellegrino confirmed that the club will stand firm and turn down interest in Manolo Gabbiadini, with Bologna one of a number of teams keen on a loan deal. He also denied speculation linking Saints with a loan move for Tottenham youngster Kyle Walker-Peters.

There are several squad members who could go out on loan, while Saints continue to chase an attacking midfield player, with a possible deal for Quincy Promes still alive.

When asked about the chances of transfer movement before the deadline, Pellegrino said: “It’s possible. It’s probable.

“We never know but we have got some interest that maybe some of our players can go on loan but depends on the other club too. In the middle of negotiations there are money and budgets and after in the opposite way the same.

“We want to bring a player but it is difficult for us.”

He added: “Every single squad can improve.

“If we cannot bring somebody that we trust and we are sure that he will improve then what is the point? To bring some body to be there? To be where? This is the point.”

Saints have completed a club record deal for Guido Carrillo, but with Charlie Austin sidelined can ill afford to let another striker leave with Gabbiadini and Shane Long the only frontline alternatives.

Pellegrino is instead focussed on trying to get the best out of Gabbiadini.

“I don’t know anything about his situation, or about speculation, but I would like Manolo to keep him, to try to recover his best level, but he has to train hard, he has to be ready and try to help the team when the team need him,” he said.

“Every day we are talking about some news in the market, about how we have the possibility for some players to leave and some to try and bring in but nobody told me anything about Manolo.

“He’s an important player for us.

“He’s not playing too much right now but is one of our main strikers, our main players, and I want to keep him.”

On Promes, Pellegrino commented: “It’s all speculation.

“Obviously we have been working with many players to bring players with capacity, with quality.

“It is not easy but we will keep pushing and we are not sure until the end what will happen with us.”