Mauricio Pochettino hinted at his press conference yesterday that Saints might be interested in a player or two in the final days before the transfer window shuts.

Previously Pochettino had said that he had no plans to spend in the January window, however that could have just been a smokescreen to take pressure off and not give other clubs the chance to hike the prices up if they know Saints are desperate in certain positions.

But that stance has changed due mainly to two events, firstly Dejan Lovren's injury at Sunderland that is likely to keep him out till mid March at least and secondly the Osvaldo incident that has led to rumour that the club record signing will be jettisoned as quickly as possible.

The need for a central defender is perhaps the greater, with Lovren injured that leaves only Yoshida and Hooiveld to partner Jose Fonte and neither have truly distinguished themselves in the limited games they have played this season.

Up front the loss of Osvaldo is not as critical, the truth is he has spent almost as much time unavailable as he has in the team and Saints do have a number of options up front, indeed Osvaldo leaving could force Pochettino's hand in that for the first part of the season he seemed unable to decide whether to play Osvaldo or Lambert.

So if the rumours go to form then Osvaldo will be offloaded possibly on loan and Saints will bring in one player in an as yet unknown position.

Biggest rumours so far are that Saints will sign Davide Astori the central defender from Italy who they were allegedly chasing in the summer window and Udinese forward Luis Muriel who this season has been struggling to recapture his form of last year, a Columbian international , last season he hit 11 goals in 22 appearances, however this he has been less prolific and although he scored in each of his first two games of the season, since then he has hit only 1 more and that being back in October.

Photo: Action Images

Zambucco added 11:03 - Jan 28 The Muriel rumour is gathering pace, as far as to say he is being flown in and will be at the match tonight. I would prefer more defensive cover and The Astori rumour suits me more. So now we have 4 nail biting days for an announcement. Hopefully with Saints new policy of transparency and keeping the public informed, it will be sooner rather than later. I'm also starting a rumour that we are bidding £40m for Luke Shaw, so nobody is having him!

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tiptop added 13:30 - Jan 28 Muriel doesnt look geat to me. Looks podgy and not that quick on youtube. Maybe im wrong. Would hv though pace is a priority in the foward and/or wide positions. Ince? Looks on his way to swansea tho. Bar osvaldo i trust mopo's transfer eye.. Fingers crossed
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