An update has emerged regarding Jack Stephens' contract situation at Southampton .

What's the talk?

According to Hampshire Live, the Saints are close to agreeing a contract extension with the central defender.

The report adds that the club are also looking into the possibility of new deals for Nathan Tella, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Oriol Romeu and Moussa Djenepo.

Fans will be buzzing

Southampton fans will be buzzing with this news as it would secure Stephens' future at St Mary's. His current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and he could sign a pre-contract deal with a club outside of England in January, which is why tying him down now is a key move by the Saints.

Fans will surely be delighted that the club are moving quickly to ensure that he does not depart from St Mary's on a free transfer. It would be a devastating blow for the Saints if Stephens left for nothing as he has earned his place in the team and delivered some top performances at centre-back, starting all three Premier League games so far this season.

In the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, Stephens recorded a WhoScored rating of 6.88. He made five tackles, two interceptions and five clearances to help earn his side a point against the Red Devils.

Hasenhuttl has hailed Stephens as a 'leader' and explained the improvements the defender has had to make in order to become a crucial cog in the back line.

The manager told the Daily Echo: “When Jack works on his defensive duels and is aggressive there, and nasty, then he is a very good centre-back.

“He is like a leader at the back at the moment, he has really fought for his position and doesn’t want to give it away so easily.

“I think at the moment he shows how important he can be for this club and this is what I need, a guy who is good on the ball but also wins his duels.

“This was sometimes the problems with Jack, that he is a little bit too nice, too calm and a little bit too less aggressive, now when he is defending forward he is strong and this is what I demand of the player, and what he needs to do consistently.”

Along with his return to the starting XI after being in and out of the side last season, this is why fans will be buzzing with the news that the £50k-per-week beast is set to put pen to paper on a new deal with the club. Hopefully Stephens will be able to remain consistent and keep his place in the team throughout the campaign whilst helping Southampton to enjoy a positive season.

AND in other news, Big chance missed: Saints dud who lost possession 11x produced worrying display...