Southampton are reportedly keeping tabs on Celtic forward Daizen Maeda after seeing a £15m bid for Terem Moffi rejected by Lorient.
Head coach Nathan Jones is keen to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window in a bid to steer his side off the foot of the Premier League table and away from the relegation zone.
The Saints have already completed the signing of Croatia international Mislav Orsic, with the 30-year-old arriving from Dinamo Zagreb for around £8m, but Jones has revealed he is looking to recruit a further 'three or four' players before the window closes.
Speaking to reporters about potential incomings after Southampton's 2-1 FA Cup win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, Jones said: "It's not the amount, it's the quality of what we do.
"So there won't be 10, but if we can get three or four real quality additions that improve us, then that's what we want. Because it'll freshen stuff up and there's a good group there."
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According to Sky Sports News, Southampton have seen a £15m bid for 23-year-old Moffi rejected by Ligue 1 outfit Lorient, who value the Nigerian closer to £25m.
Moffi has impressed in the French top flight so far this season, scoring 10 goals in 15 appearances, but his long-term future with Lorient is believed to be uncertain as his contract is due to expire in 18 months' time.
The report adds that Southampton are also monitoring Celtic's Maeda, who has developed into a first-team regular under Ange Postecoglou since arriving at Parkhead in January last year.
Maeda, who scored for Japan in their last-16 defeat against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup, has contributed to three goals in as many games for Celtic since returning from international duty at the end of last month.
After winning the Scottish Premiership title last season, the 25-year-old made his loan move from Yokohama F. Marinos permanent over the summer and he has gone on to record 14 goals and 10 assists in 49 appearances for Celtic across all competitions.
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Southampton have history with recruiting players from Celtic, with Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster and Stuart Armstrong having all made the move from Glasgow to the South Coast over the last 10 years.
It remains to be seen whether Maeda, who is under contract at Parkhead until May 2026, would be interested in swapping the top of Scottish football for a relegation battle in the Premier League having spent only 12 months with Celtic.
Maeda is not the only player plying his trade in Scotland who has caught the eye of Southampton, as they are also reportedly interested in Dundee United starlet Rory MacLeod.
The 16-year-old forward, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle United, has been identified as a prospect for the future and Saints scouts are said to have travelled to Tannadice to watch the youngster against Rangers in the Premiership on Sunday.
Oliver Thomas
