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While the standings tell you that Southampton are among the Premier League's strugglers, the Saints have been showing that they are anything but and perhaps contenders for a top-eight spot next campaign.

Since Ralph Hasenhuttl took the helm in December, the south coast outfit have gone from strength to strength and have recently been getting the results that their stellar performances have deserved, with wins over Spurs, Brighton and Wolves propelling them away from the drop zone, though they remain three points shy of the safe haven of 40-points.

The Austrian manager has introduced a refreshing style of football and instilled an elite attitude in each and every one of his players, evident in their tireless efforts week in, week out.

Watford and Fulham have proved this season in very different ways that it's not all about spending big money and Southampton already look like having most of the ingredients to become Europa League challengers once again.

Hasenhuttl has inspired a revolution without having any say in transfer dealings yet, but it won't hurt to make a few smart additions in the summer.

What, then, do the Saints need in the upcoming transfer window to give themselves their best chance of qualification for Europe?

Centre-back

While Jan Bednarek, who signed for just £5 million in 2017, has been nothing short of excellent since being brought in from the cold by Hasenhuttl, and Jannik Vestergaard has also looked solid, Southampton should look to strengthen their central defence in the summer.

Jack Stephens might be good at bringing the ball out from the back but he has far too many an error in him and, with Hasenhuttl preferring a five/three-man defence, having another option to call upon is a must if one of his first choices is sidelined. It certainly wouldn't be too difficult to find an upgrade on Maya Yoshida if Hasenhuttl feels his first three need improvement, either.

Another Bednarek-type - a young diamond in the rough who Southampton can sign for relatively little - would be the perfect kind of player for Hasenhuttl to work with and mould into a first team star.

Striker

Danny Ings is one of the most natural finishers outside the top six but Hasenhuttl can't rely on the injury-prone hitman to lead the line for an entire season; bringing in a player who can either deputise for or partner the Liverpool loanee up front is essential, with Charlie Austin and Shane Long not consistent enough.

Someone with pace and an engine would be the perfect fit - Hasenhuttl demands that his team defends from the front and having a striker who can chase down the opposition for 75-90 minutes would both make a massive difference to the front three and be a huge hit with the fans.

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Left-back

While Ryan Bertrand has been a faithful servant to the club since switching from Chelsea in 2015, the former Saints captain has been poor for much of the season and is currently a glaring weak point in the starting XI. Yan Valery has only come through the academy this season and is putting his left-sided counterpart to shame most weeks.

While it would be ruthless for Hasenhuttl to replace the 29-year-old after just one poor season, it may have to be done if the Saints are to realise their top-eight aspirations - they certainly have the manager and the playing style to do it, but left-back is one area in particular that needs some improvement.