According to reports in The Sun, Southampton manager Claude Puel is lining up a move for Genk centre-back Omar Colley.

Who?

Good question. Colley is 24 and captains his country, Gambia, at international level. The 6ft. 3" defender has been in impressive form for the Belgian side this term following a £1.5m move from Swedish outfit Djurgardens in August.

Genk are currently top of their Europa League group, and his continental showings will have caught the attention of Puel, whose team are competing in the same competition.

Would Colley jump at the chance of joining Saints?

Possibly not, actually. It seems as though regular playing time is the most important thing for Colley, who overlooked more illustrious moves in the summer because he felt he would get more minutes with Genk.

Of course, with Virgil van Dijk and captain Jose Fonte established as the club’s first-choice pairing in central defence, Colley would have to accept that he wouldn’t be playing every game.

Do the Saints need another centre-back?

Well, Puel will be thinking about the future. Fonte isn’t getting any younger and despite signing a new six-year deal, Van Dijk is sure to attract interest from other clubs following some dominant displays last season and this.

With question marks over the long-term fitness of another senior centre-back in Florin Gardos, it is a position that could become a priority either in January or more likely next summer.

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