Southampton FC have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over the potential transfer of central defender Toby Alderweireld, who spent last season on loan at St Mary's.
A year of success for the defender
After being kept out of the Atletico team by Diego Godin and Miranda during his first year at he club, manager Ronald Koeman produced a coup by persuading the Belgian international to join Southampton on a loan deal last season.
Playing 25 times for the Saints, Alderweireld impressed throughout the season, as Southampton produced one of the best defensive records in the league, bettered only by eventual champions Chelsea.
This has led to Koeman wanting to bring him in on a permanent deal, as he looks to boost his squad for the upcoming season.
Competition from close to home
Unsurprisingly, Southampton aren't the only club chasing his signature, with fellow Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur also interested in purchasing the player, who Atletico are demanding around £5 million for.
Despite Spurs finishing 5th last season, two places above Southampton, both clubs can offer Europa League football, meaning that neither has a huge leverage on what they can offer Alderweired that the other can't.
This has given Southampton directors hope that they can be the one's to land him, due to good relationships forged in the past year.
A summer of change
The move signify's another big move in an important summer for Southampton, as they look to buy players that can help establish themselves as a top half Premier League club over the next decade.
They were always resigned to losing Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool, and replaced him with Cedric Soares well before he completed a £10 million move to Merseyside on Wednesday.
Morgan Schneiderlin is another player rumoured to be on the verge of leaving, with Manchester United pursuing the Frenchman in a deal worth over £20 million.
However, Koeman's squad will get a boost upon the return of Jay Rodriguez from the ACL injury that kept him out for all of last season, with the winger looking to get up to full fitness during pre season.