Do Southampton really need to make this unexpected January transfer move?

Transfer rumours aplenty will start popping up the closer we head to the January transfer window reopening.

There have been lots of rumours in the air regarding Southampton going after Lukas Nmecha and Daniel Jebbison to enhance their centre-forward options, with both the strikers in question stuck in the reserves at Leeds United and AFC Bournemouth.

A fresh slice of transfer gossip has now emerged, away from the talk of Nmecha and Jebbison, with this new bit of speculation confusing Saints fans somewhat...

Swansea City-based outlet the Swansea Independent has revealed that both West Ham United and Tonda Eckert's men are keen on a move for midfield battler Marko Stamenic.

This transfer update has come from nowhere, with the Independent stating that both the promotion candidates are keeping an eye on the New Zealand international, heading into the mid-season window.

It's further stated that both Scott Parker's men and the Saints have him in mind for his "passing game" but also due to his "ability to anticipate problems" centrally and snuff out danger with ease.

It remains to be seen if this rumour has legs, as Southampton are well-stocked in the midfield department right now, with Cameron Bragg, Caspar Jander, Flynn Downes, and James Ward-Prowse already at Eckert's disposal, with a move getting off the ground definitely an unexpected development.

Indeed, the central midfield ranks are the healthiest position in the entire Southampton squad, arguably.

Ward-Prowse has slotted back into playing for his boyhood club like a duck to water, while Flynn Downes has continued to be an alert, busy-body, often partnered next to the classy number 30.

Then, there's the returning Caspar Jander who should be fit after the international break, who provides energy and a calmness on the ball himself.

Staggeringly, he has recorded the fastest running speed in the Championship this season at 36 km/h, and will be pushing hard to be back in his manager's first team plans, when Derby County come to St. Mary's after the break.

Bragg has had his wobbles this season, with the Portsmouth red card immediately sticking out as a clanger, but he's highly regarded, and will continue to gain first-team chances here and there.

This midfield overview makes you wonder where Stamenic would actually fit in, as he's known for being an alert and forceful presence, but Eckert already has that in Downes.

Comparing their numbers side-by-side this season so far, Downes has won 4.8 duels per second tier clash, next to the number six's weaker 3.4 average playing in Wales.

He also has no goals or assists to shout about.

Whereas, Ward-Prowse and Bragg have both got involved in the forward positions in recent times, with the youthful 21-year-old scoring recently to help the Saints overcome Queens Park Rangers.

It just doesn't feel like a logical move, especially as the report states that Stamenic would cost well above the £2.1m Swansea paid for his services from Nottingham Forest.

Maybe, Eckert just wants a different option, with Ward-Prowse not getting any younger, and Jander rather injury-prone.

It will be interesting to see if this rumour comes back up when the January transfer window is more intense, with Southampton's transfer priorities surely lying elsewhere on the pitch, over raiding Swansea for another midfielder.