Southampton preserved their Premier League status for another year despite their last-gasp 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season at St Mary's on Sunday.

Following their crucial 1-0 win against fellow strugglers Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last week, the south coast outfit knew that even if they lost against the champions and the Welsh club beat already-relegated Stoke City at home, there would also have to be a 10-goal swing to see go down.

Carlos Carvalhal's men's 2-1 loss against the Potters meant that a narrow reverse for Mark Hughes' men didn't matter in the end, but the Saints board certainly have the 54-year-old to thank for turning their fortunes around in recent weeks.

The Welshman was handed eight top flight matches to turn things around for Southampton, who were well on their way to relegation under previous boss Mauricio Pellegrino.

He got them organised and gave the players a real belief and fight to stay up, and seven points from nine available coming into the clash against Pep Guardiola's men proved to be enough.

Now talks can begin to see if he will remain at St Mary's with his short-term contract expiring, and as well as making sure he gets a new deal, chairman Ralph Krueger and vice-chairman Les Reed must deliver three marquee signings for Hughes this summer to ensure they don't find themselves in a similar position next year.

Without further ado, here are the three players in question…

One of the priorities for Southampton this summer must be to bring in a more dominant centre-back to play alongside the likes of Wesley Hoedt and Jack Stephens next summer – Saints fans on Twitter are certainly hoping that is the case – and while Diop may not be a household name just yet, he certainly looks as though he will be in the future.

The 21-year-old is already a regular with Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse and has been linked with the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, and isn't hard to see why when you look at his stats.

According to WhoScored.com, the 6ft 4in defender has won 55 of the 92 aerial duels he has faced in 33 Ligue 1 appearances this season, while he is decent at tackling and in possession, too.

Southampton were heavily linked with a move for the exciting attacker during the January transfer window, and they would have been left frustrated when they were unable to bring him to St Mary's to aid their battle against relegation.

Now Saints have stayed up, they should look to reignite their interest in the Netherlands international, who carried on his fine form in the first-half of the season to the last couple of months, and currently has 21 goals and 10 assists from 38 appearances in all competitions for Spartak Moscow.

Promes would certainly bring some pace and a goal threat from out wide that the south coast outfit have been desperately lacking since Sadio Mane left in 2016.

Southampton haven't been the same team without a striker in the mould of Rickie Lambert and Graziano Pelle at their disposal, and while Charlie Austin will get goals if you give him chances, his all-round game isn't very impressive.

That is something that has affected the south coast outfit when the former QPR man has played as a lone striker, and Saints need someone who can hold up the play and win headers – like Shane Long, but someone who can score goals.

Step forward Gerard Moreno, who has enjoyed a stunning season for Espanyol in La Liga.

The 26-year-old has netted 19 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish club, while he has shown his battling qualities by winning 132 of the 289 aerial duels he has faced despite being less than 6ft tall, as per WhoScored.com.

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