Southampton have been linked with a move for Leicester City ace Demarai Gray recently and the winger could be the man to replace Nathan Redmond at the South Coast club.

What's the word?

According to Portuguese news outlet Record (via Sport Witness), Southampton have 'taken the first steps' towards signing Gray on a free transfer next summer when his contract with the Foxes expires.

It suggests that although Benfica are interested in signing the 24-year-old, Southampton have contacted his entourage and would be able to offer better financial terms to the Englishman.

Redmond successor?

The former Birmingham City man is clearly surplus to requirements in Brendan Rodgers' Leicester side, having made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season, featuring more prominently in the Premier League 2 with the Foxes' U'23 side.

During his time with the club, he has made 169 appearances, contributing 13 goals and 17 assists, suggesting that he has never really been able to consistently score and create goals in the Leicester side.

However, he has shown glimpses of his ability, with Rodgers labelling his performance against Bournemouth last season as "excellent", whilst also suggesting that, despite his lack of appearances, he is a "big talent".

Gray's best season in the Premier League perhaps came in the 2018/19 campaign, where he made 34 appearances and contributed four goals but he followed that up with just three starts in the top-flight last season.

However, he could still be an excellent signing for Southampton, if Ralph Hasenhuttl was able to unlock the winger's obvious potential.

Considering he is valued at £10.8 million by Transfermarkt, it would make a lot of financial sense to sign him on a free transfer, as even if he wasn't able to perform for the Saints, they would surely be able to make a profit on him in the future.

It could also be argued that Gray could prove to be the successor to Redmond at Southampton, with the former Norwich City man having struggled to perform at times this season, with one goal and no assists in nine appearances in the top-flight, resulting in a less than impressive 6.51 rating.

Gray has rarely enjoyed a strong run of starts in the Leicester team and if Hasenhuttl gave him the opportunity to impress as a regular in this Southampton side, there's no reason why the former England U21 international couldn't become a success in the Premier League, so this definitely looks like it could be a worthwhile signing for the Saints.

And, in other news... Southampton should axe 21 y/o once dubbed "fantastic"; he has no future under Hasenhuttl