According to Tutto Bologna Web, Southampton are leading the race to sign Genk right-back Joakim Maehle, who has also been watched by Crystal Palace in the past.

What's the word, then?

Well, as the report states, the Danish full-back was of interest to Serie A side Bologna in the past, although it is believed that any potential pursuit has been complicated by Southampton, who are said to be leading the chase to sign him.

Maehle appears to be an excellent right-back in an attacking sense, scoring four goals while registering an eye-catching ten assists last season, while he has one goal and four set-ups so far this term - 19 goal involvements across a season-and-a-half is very impressive for a defender.

The 22-year-old has also been gaining invaluable experience by playing in the Champions League for Genk.

Ralph Hasenhuttl seems to love him

The Maehle talk simply won't go away for Southampton and Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Saints attempted to sign the Dane in January 2019, although Genk were not interested in selling their star right-back midway through their Europa League campaign.

Then, Southampton were considering a renewed effort to capture him in January of this year, although no move to St Mary's came to fruition for the Østervrå-born defender.

Having been on the club's radar for over a year, Southampton and Hasenhuttl are clearly fans of Maehle, whose arrival would be a huge helping hand given the club's issues at right-back.

Cedric Soares is on loan at Arsenal before his contract expires in the summer, while his replacement Kyle Walker-Peters is only on loan until the summer before he returns to Tottenham - there is no option or obligation to buy the Englishman.

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That leaves Hasenhuttl with Yan Valery as his only right-back beyond the current campaign, so there is an urgent need to sign a fresh face in that department.

In other news, Graeme Souness brought a gem to St Mary's with this shrewd 1996 transfer move...