Italian media sources are suggesting that a move back to Italy for Graziano Pelle may be nearer than Saints fans would think.
Whilst it is true that Ronald Koeman has said that no one is leaving St Mary's in January, the fact is that he really means that no one will leave that the club do not want to, hence Gaston Ramirez has gone to Middlesbrough on loan and if the club could have persuaded him to make a permanent move they would have done.
The writing was always going to be on the wall for Pelle the moment that Charlie Austin signed and as well as Pelle has played this season and he has been excellent at times, age is against him and Austin is too similar a player too accommodate both in the same starting line up.
So although Saints would prefer to keep Pelle to the end of the season to offer options and as cover for the injury prone Austin, the reality is that it could suit both Saints and Pelle to sell him now.
From the club's point of view they could get a reasonable fee for the Italian, perhaps more than they have paid for Austin and with Pelle reaching the age of 31 in the summer and entering the last year of his contract, his value will be far less in July than it is now.
From Pelle's point of view he will want to stay in the Italian team for the Euro's this summer and to do that he needs to be playing games and he might not play as much as he would have had Austin not arrived.
So a move to Juventus would certainly suit Pelle and reports from Italy are suggesting that the Italian giants might be about to make a bid.
Saints might choose to turn it down, certainly Charlie Austin's ability to play every game is an issue, but if Jay Rodriguez is nearing fitness then this might not be a problem should Pelle leave, certainly Shane Long has shown he can lead the line and Mane and Juanmi can also cover.
Ronald Koeman and Saints have to do some hard thinking in the next day or so should Juventus come in and not just from a selfish point of view, Pelle has done well for Saints and does not deserve to be left on the bench, like his predecessor before him Rickie Lambert, sometimes you have to reward a player for his service by letting him go and this should be a consideration for Saints.
The truth is as Ronald Koeman says, no one leaves in January, but what that really means is no one leaves unless we want them to and it is in the best interests of the club.