The window might have slammed shut for trading with Premier League and the top European Leagues, but there are still some options to fill that gap at the back by looking at the Championship or players out of contract.
Joe Roden is being chased by Spurs, he can still be bought as Premier Leage clubs can still do deals with those in the Championship, Roden is unlikely to be on Saints radar given his lack of experience but it does show that there are players out there and in recent years several Championship central defenders have made the step up.
But there is also the option of getting in a player who is out of contract, one who would fit the bill is Eziquiel Garay The Uruguayan centre-back would add experience and even goals to a top-half Premier League side in need of some defensive reinforcements. The 33-year-old has won trophies in Spain, Portugal and Russia during a glittering career, but fell foul of the financial issues plaguing Valencia throughout 2020 and was told he could leave in the summer.
Garay played more than 200 times in La Liga, scoring 20 goals in the division and is known for his aerial ability and build-up play. He would suit Saints down to the ground, a quality player although he turns 34 on Saturday he could be a good cheap signing and organise our defence and help them mature.
Likewise Adrian Marriappa , he did turn 34 earlier in the week, released by Watford he t0o would fit the bill, perhaps even more so than Garay, in that he has played 9 seasons in the Premier League in a career in England stretching back to 2005/06 season.
Surely he could help bring on our central defenders.
One who would be known to Ralph Hasenhuttl would be Daniel Schwabb, still only 32 he again might fit the bill, the German has had a long career in both Germany and Holland where he helped them win the Eridivisie in 2018.
These are just a few of those out of contract and we could do worse than take a look at them and who else is around, a few years ago we brought im Marin Caceres who still only 30 looked a good signing, strangely he played only once, looking good in a win at Middlesbrough and going on to enjoy another 3 years in Italy playing for Lazio & Juventus as well as Hellas Verona.
Currently at Fiorentina with year left on his contract perhaps he might fancy a return to St Mary's for some unfinished business like Theo Walcott