It should come as no surprise that Ronald Koeman will be chasing many of Saints intended transfer targets this summer and this central defender is one of those.

Ronald Koeman like Mauricio Pochettino before him would have insider knowledge of every player Saints had been monitoring in his time at St Mary's, therefore it is only natural that when he comes to try and improve his new team Everton's squad he will be relying on our scouting network.

Therefore when Saints are linked with a player Koeman will be lurking somewhere around and that is the case with our latest transfer target Ecuador's central defender Arturo Mina.

The 25 year old has excelled for his country in the Copa America and now finds not only Saints, but Everton and West Ham United chasing his signature.

We at Southampton are well used to Ecuadorian after the dual purchase of Augustine Delgado and Kleba Chaka back in 2001, Delgado seemed to get injured physically and mentally when we forgot to wish him a happy birthday, although miraculously he would perk up every time a World Cup or Copa America came along, playing more for his country during his time at St Mary's than he did for Saints.

Hopefully if he signs Mina will be made of sterner stuff, Saints need another central defender in, we were lucky last season that VVD and José Fonte stayed virtually injury free, if that had not been the case we might have struggled.

It will be a hectic month before the season starts and you can bet your bottom dollar that Saints will be busy during that time, closely followed by Ronald Koeman.

Photo: Action Images

BUCK added 18:40 - Jul 13 The person we desperately need to stay injury free is d us an Tadic. Why have saints not offered him a new 5 year contract. He's one of the best play makers in the league I'd be over the moon of les reed can get him on board for another 5 years. Our team is beginning to look like we can compete at the highest end of the table.
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sidsaint added 10:20 - Jul 15 I didn't see Gardos' name on the list going to Baltimore, so maybe a central defender is a priority.
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SanMarco added 10:29 - Jul 15 No sid - it has been all quiet on the Gardos front. Anyone know anything about his status?
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