Southampton striker Che Adams has been in solid form this campaign, having received little help from the rest of his underperforming front line. His three goals make him the club’s top scorer, with only Joe Aribo nearby with two.

This lack of firepower has unsurprisingly seen them slump to 17th, just one point from safety.

With Adam Armstrong still yet to kickstart his career on the south coast, and the aforementioned former Rangers man yet to truly prove himself, Ralph Hasenhuttl might have to turn to the January transfer window to try and salvage their season.

With a preference for a 4-4-2 formation, having one of the front two sit slightly deeper could offer up the perfect role to be filled by Zakaria Aboukhlal.

He could certainly give Aribo a run for his money, given how he has performed thus far in Ligue 1.

The Saints are reportedly one of two Premier League clubs interested in signing the Toulouse forward, who is valued at around €25m (£21.5m).

The Moroccan is set to star in the upcoming World Cup but has recently earned praise since moving to France for his performances all across the front line.

With three goals and three assists in just 13 league games, he is far outperforming anyone currently playing at St Mary’s.

Not only this, but his outstanding characteristics listed by journalist Hanif Ben Berkane suggest he could be a comfortable fit for the Premier League.

He is said to be a “physical monster” who is “hyper combative”, and at just 22 years old he has plenty of room to grow too.

Clearly blessed with an eye for both a goal and a pass, he could be the perfect man to act as a bridge between midfield and attack.

The former Dutch youth international ranks in the top 2% of players in his position across Europe's top five leagues for progressive passes received and the top 8% for assists per 90.

He could latch on to the progressive passes of James Ward-Prowse, of which he makes 3.61 per game, and then feed the Scotsman who has been starved of service this campaign.

On paper, it sounds like it could be a sensational piece of business that would work out perfectly. Aboukhlal might well just be the perfect partner for Adams.