Arron Sanders hopes that although Saints failed in this bid, that it signifies a statement of intent for the summer transfer window.

Hoffenheim striker Sandro Wagner has reportedly,turned down the chance to join Saints in a £14.5m switch by signing a new deal with the Bundesliga outfit on Sunday.

Bild newspaper claim the Germany international striker rejected the move, deciding he wanted to stay closer to home and play in Champions League matches.

Wagner was impressive for Julian Nagelsmann’s side last term, scoring 12 Bundesliga goals as they finished fourth and earned a spot in the Champions League play-off round.

The 29-year-old then carried on his good form for Germany in the Confederations Cup this summer, helping his country to all the way to winning.

There was rumoured interest from England last season with both Southampton and West Brom linked to him, but he put pen to paper on a new contract through to 2020 over the weekend.

Despite the fact Saints have missed out on a potential target, it is a good sign to see the club targeting players of Wagner's calibre.

This does fill me with some hope that we may see an arrival or two into the club of a high quality standard which will excite the fans ahead of the new season.

Photo: Action Images

TimSaint added 10:38 - Jul 10 Nothing story here - just idle paper talk or an agent getting his player a pay rise / new contract. OK so he had a semi decent season last term, as Hoff somehow managed to finish 4th and he got his first caps (3) at International level. However he only scored 11 league goals last season, notched a hatrick for Germany against the mighty San Marino (hence 3 goals in 3 appearances) and at 30 in a few months, is definitely not a signing that fits into the Saints transfer model.

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Sanguin added 10:55 - Jul 10 This does seem like a Saints signing to me, finding a player who would strengthen our squad and is undervalued. It’s always nice to be linked with these kind of players.
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TimSaint added 11:14 - Jul 10 At almost 30 and at 15 mill for someone hardly prolific, he definitely over-valued !! With Boufal at 23 and Gab at 25, they cost the same money and at least if they are successful, they will have sell-on value, whereas Wagner will not. Anyway, he is staying in Germany, so doesn't want to join us anyway - so lets see how he gets on this coming season. I predict about a dozen league goals.

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SaintBrock added 13:33 - Jul 10 He didn't want to leave Germany so how could we ever have considered him un the first place?
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