In the January transfer window not a lot happens until the final few days, but that doesn't stop the rumours flying thick and fast and the latest ones involving Saints are coming from one of the more reliable sources.

Fabrizio Romano is seen as one of the football journalists who has his finger on the pulse and when he makes a transfer claim it generally has substance, so when footballfancast.com report that Romano is making a claim about potential Southampton targets, you take notice.

The first rumour is a new one, Aston Villa defender Lamare Bogarde, the 20 year old who has played for the Netherlands U20 side and joined Villa from Feyenoord in September 2020, is primarily a central midfielder, but can also play as a central defender.

You can see why he is linked as he could be seen as a replacement for Mason Holgate should he leave during this transfer window, however he isn't as versatile as Holgate and to date anyway he hasn't played much a fullback.

Romano claims that Bogarde is a primary loan target for Southampton, however I can't see why we would bring him in on loan, perhaps we would fancy him on a permanent basis as he has potential, but with Russell Martin having said he will be looking to experience before youth in his quest for promotion, it is hard to see the advantage of signing him giving his limited game time so far.

For Villa he has made just 1 appearance in the first team, that being an FA Cup tie on this day in 2021 when he played 65 minutes in Villa's 4-1 defeat at Liverpool.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers where he was a regular started and he returned to the club this season, although he has seen his game time split between starting and being on the bench and he has played just once in the last two months, that being a 26 minute sub appearance.

This has led Villa to recall Bogarde and they are looking to loan him out again.

So on this one I find it hard to believe that we would be interested, Villa are looking for progress in his development, but we are looking for experience, I suspect this one is being put about by his agent to stimulate interest.

The second claim by Romano is that we are very serious about taking Liverpool's Fabio Carvalho, as we have previously reported, Carvalho has been recalled from his loan spell at RB Leipzig, the German club were keen to keep him, but from a Liverpool perspective he wasn't getting enough game time.

Romano had this to say on X

"Liverpool will decide on the best loan option for Fábio Carvalho in the next few days. Southampton, Hull City and Leeds all pushing to sign him — Wolves also asked for Fabio but game time guarantees will be key."

Carvalho has experience at Championship level, in 20/21 season after breaking into the side he scored his first goal, at St Mary's a consolation in a 3-1 win as Fulham headed for relegation. Ironically this game also saw Nathan Tella, score his first goal for Southampton.

The following season he played 36 times for Fulham as they headed back to the premier League scoring 10 goals plus 8 assists.

This lead Liverpool to sign him on a 5 year deal, Jurgen Klopp remains a fan, but they see him as needing to get regular game time to get him the experience he needs to push for a place in the Liverpool team.

This one could have some legs as Russell martin looks to bolster his attacking options.

Photo: Action Images

Block8 added 10:14 - Jan 8 I thought Championship rules limit clubs to only four loan players, which we already have? Two of which need to be under 23. So by my reckoning we either need to send one or two back or look for permanent signings.
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Block8 added 10:24 - Jan 8 I thought wrong, I have just checked FIFA's loan rules for 2023/24 and it is now seven in & seven out. Pays to check your posts prior to submitting 😱
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Bowlercow added 10:31 - Jan 8 Block 8 The 4 refers to the number of loanees in on the pitch at the same time That can be 5 if one is an emergency loan keeper If we get Carvallho who dips out of our current squad? Lots of noise so far but as usual we need to wait for a club announcement
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underweststand added 10:46 - Jan 8 We're not having too much success so far ( Nick). A lot of these "stories" are ....just that. Rumours generated by agents looking to move their player on, or some sort of fake news or some fantasy football game from some kid with a fan site run on a PC in his bedroom. So far we've lost out on Benson (from Burnley) and Azaz will (apparently) go to Midd'boro. I read that we were " interested" in Carvalho a year or so ago, but any sort of move from Liverpool to a Championship side (even a promising one like us ) might seem like a step down the ladder for the lad. He might be an improvement on the likes of Mara, but that doesn't sound very encouraging. It's all gone quite on the publicity about Scottish-based strikers (Miovski and Shankland) - ..(if there was any credence to the original posting)...although we will need to sign "someone" PDQ...if Che Adams does eventually move. On the face of it, a 20 year old like Bogarde (who's played almost zero first team football) would be a non-starter, and would be no likely replacement for KWP - were he to move - in which case Bree would have first shout for any vacancy for the RB slot. Our current U21 side is bristling with young defenders and the best of the bunch - Lewis Payne - is already getting rave reviews in his season long loan at Newport. Whilst it maybe good to get some "extra defensive cover ", I can't see any of these players mentioned being a priority signing in this window.

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IanRC added 18:23 - Jan 8 Patience is a virtue but I really hope we don’t go waiting to the last minute of the window again, particularly for a striker or if a key player leaves.
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