According to an exclusive report by TEAMtalk, Southampton are one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia, who faces an uncertain future.

What's the word, then?

Rodrigo Battaglia in action against Atletico Madrid

Well, TEAMtalk says that Saints, along with newly-promoted duo Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, are all keen to sign the 26-year-old, who is keen on a move to the English top flight.

TEAMtalk says that the Argentine is keen to leave the Portuguese club to come to the Premier League after he and his teammates were attacked at their training ground by some angry supporters last month after they missed out on Champions League qualification.

The report adds that Battaglia, who would be competing with the likes of Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mario Lemina for a spot in central midfield if he did move to St Mary's, was also the subject of public criticism for Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho.

How did Battaglia do during the 2017/18 campaign?

It was a tough season for Sporting, but the 26-year-old was a regular fixture in the starting XI.

The Argentine midfielder made 57 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing a further three assists, while he featured for all but three minutes of their Champions League group campaign.

According to WhoScored.com, he successfully completed 24 of the 39 dribbles he attempted in 45 outings in Liga NOS and in European competition, while he won 83 aerial duels.

[brid autoplay="true" video="252976" player="12034" title="Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup"]

Would he be a good signing for Southampton?

He certainly would be.

Saints, who should sign a 6ft 4in England colossus once Man United seal huge £50m deal, only just narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship last season and the addition of the 26-year-old would have to be seen as a huge positive, given the experience he has at playing at the highest level for Sporting.

The midfielder's arrival at St Mary's would surely seal Lemina's fate with the south coast outfit however considering the options Mark Hughes would have in the centre, with the Gabon international being linked with a move to Napoli and Manchester City – among others – in recent times.