Southampton are interested in signing Anderlecht midfielder Steven Defour before the summer transfer window closes, according to reports.
Claude Puel, the club's new manager, is reportedly interested in the Belgian midfielder (28) as a credible choice to help bolster the Saints' midfield options ahead of the new Premier League campaign in under two weeks.
Saints aiming for more signings before window shuts
They've already made four summer acquisitions, including the capture of recently-relegated Norwich winger Nathan Redmond as well as Bayern midfielder Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg. They prepare for life without Ronald Koeman in the same fashion as they have done for those before him - both Mauricio Pochettino and the Dutchman have helped the team achieve success against the odds, especially with most of their key stars being sold to bigger clubs for lucrative deals over the past few seasons.
Defour a potential Wanyama replacement
However, they're yet to really earmark a replacement for Victor Wanyama - who joined league counterparts Tottenham in July for a fee in the region of £11million pounds.
Defour made 42 appearances in all competitions last season, but abuse from a section of the club's supporters has made him ponder a move away from the country altogether. The reported transfer fee would be in the region of £6million pounds, with Defour's agent Paul Stefani admitting his client is losing patience after receiving abuse during the club's clash with Standard Liége - his former side - last season.
"Steven loves being captain at Anderlecht but some things happened with some supporters, like insults and drinks being thrown, that didn't please him."
"The directors see for themselves that he's unhappy - if there's a good offer for all the parties involved then we'll talk about it."
Newly-promoted Burnley are also rumoured to be interested in Defour's signature, according to recent reports in the Daily Mail. Sean Dyche's side have only made two signings since securing automatic promotion in May, and will need to make significant upgrades between now and the end of the transfer window if they're to have much chance of sustaining a strong challenge in England's top flight this upcoming season.