According to reports in the Sunday People, via HITC, Southampton are reportedly ready to pay £25m to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Helder Costa this summer.

Saints boss Claude Puel will be looking to strengthen his squad in order to push for European football against next term after they missed out this season, and he is understood to have been impressed with the performances of the attacker.

The 23-year-old has been one of the standout performers for the Championship outfit in what has been a largely disappointing campaign, and after initially moving to Molineux on a season-long loan deal from Benfica last summer, he joined Paul Lambert’s side on a permanent basis during the January transfer window for a reported £13m fee.

The south coast outfit could face competition for his signature from Ligue 1 leaders Monaco though, and the interest from the French outfit in their former player could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Here are three reasons Saints should steer clear of signing Costa…

His price tag

Britain Soccer Football - Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Sky Bet Championship - Griffin Park - 14/3/17 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Paul Lambert celebrates with Helder Costa after the final whistle Mandatory Credit: Action Images / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publ

While he may have scored an impressive 10 Championship goals in his first season in England, it is hard to see how Costa could be worth £25m considering he has been featuring in the second tier.

If Southampton are willing to spend that amount on a player – and one that would smash the club-record transfer fee they paid for Sofiane Boufal last summer – Saints fans may feel that they could bring in a more established star for the money.

They've got Boufal

Football Soccer Britain - Southampton v Sunderland - EFL Cup Fourth Round - St Mary's Stadium - 26/10/16 Southampton's Sofiane Boufal celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please co

Even though he has struggled to make a real impact so far having become the club’s record signing when he moved to St Mary’s from Lille last summer, Boufal has shown glimpses that he can make an impact in the Premier League.

While there are aspects of his game that need to improve if he is to be a success in England, with a full pre-season behind him and a consistent run in the starting line-up he can come good, and signing Costa would only help to prevent that.

They may need new defenders

Britain Football Soccer - Norwich City v Southampton - FA Cup Third Round - Carrow Road - 7/1/17 Southampton's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representat

Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares have all been linked with moves away from St Mary’s in the last couple of months, and if they do go then Saints will need to spend big to replace three of their key defenders.

Rather than spend £25m on a winger, Claude Puel should look to use the money to strengthen a backline that could be severely weakened during the summer, if they are to avoid finding themselves battling at the wrong end of the Premier League.

Do you, agree Saints fans? Let us know below.