This is Southampton’s dream January defence including this key target

CB – Kevin Wimmer

The bedrock of the Southampton side in past seasons has been their reliable back four, which has been as solid and dependable as any in the top-flight.

However, captain Jose Fonte turns 33 in December and, with reported interest in the Portuguese international over the summer, he could be set to leave the club, especially if the Saints refuse to sell fellow centre-half Virgil van Dijk.

Thus, a new centre-back may be needed, and one they’ve been loosely linked with is Tottenham’s Kevin Wimmer.

The 24-year-old deputised for the injured Jan Vertonghen at the end of last season and performed well alongside Toby Alderweireld, as Spurs ended the season having conceded the joint-least amount of goals in the top-flight.

Wimmer’s nine starts yielded just six goals and, although he hasn’t looked wholly convincing this time around, a run of games and regular starts could be needed to get him settled into the role.

A partnership between him and van Dijk could lay the foundations at Southampton for many years to come.