Southampton sold star centre-back Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool in a £75m deal at the start of January, and it appears as though bringing in a replacement for the Dutchman before the January transfer window shuts isn't a priority.

The Telegraph reported on Saturday that the club are eyeing a £50m double swoop for Spartak Moscow forward Quincy Promes and Monaco striker Guido Carrillo, with no mention of any defensive reinforcements.

However, given Saints currently find themselves in the relegation zone and have conceded 35 goals in 24 Premier League matches this season, perhaps it should be more of a priority.

Harry Kane's header against them in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's on Sunday was just another in a long line of headed goals against them in recent weeks, and individuals like Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida have often been caught out in the air.

Meanwhile, Hannover 96 defeder Salif Sane, who is rated at £7.2m according to Transfermarkt, has arguably been his team's best performer in the Bundesliga this season.

If Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino is looking for a new centre-back before January 31 then bringing the Senegal international to St Mary's could prove to be a shrewd move.

Here are three reasons Southampton must sign Sane to partner Hoedt this month…

Defensive qualites

According to WhoScored.com, Sane has been the joint-second best player in the Bundesliga statistically this season, and much of that is down to how well he has done from a defensive point of view.

While the 27-year-old has a decent passing accuracy of 82%, he has also won 33 tackles, made 53 interceptions, 35 blocks and 138 clearances in 18 German top flight appearances this term.

The Senegal international is capable of bringing the ball out of defence too though, and he has successfully completed six of the seven dribbles he has attempted.

Aerial ability

The 6ft 5in centre-back is dominant in the air, and according to WhoScored.com he has won 106 of the 132 aerial duels he has faced in 18 Bundesliga appearances this season.

That strength in the air is certainly something Southampton have been missing in the absence of Van Dijk, with the likes of Yoshida and Stephens too easily muscled off of the ball when it comes to winning headers.

Sane is tall and strong though, and he would have no problem competing against any Premier League striker in the air.

Price tag

According to reports in The Telegraph on December 28, Southampton were said to be keen on a January deal for Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson.

However, it seems as though they have been priced out of a move for the 24-year-old – who scored the winning goal against Liverpool on Monday night – with The Sun claiming in December that the Welsh outfit want £40m for the centre-back.

According to Transfermarkt, Sane could be available for less than one-fifth of that price and considering how highly-rated he is, bringing him to St Mary's would be a smart move and help to address what is an ongoing problem in the Southampton backline.

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

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