Southampton are ‘prepared’ to sign a target they initially pursued last summer following promotion to the Premier League.
With Russell Martin guiding the side to an instant return to the top flight, Southampton should be able to attract a much higher calibre of player than they could in the Championship.
There is a lot of work to be done this summer to get the squad in a place where it is ready to compete in the Premier League and Taylor Harwood-Bellis has already become the first signing having made his loan permanent.
Ryan Fraser looks set to join the defender shortly, with a deal agreed with the player and Newcastle United keen to facilitate an exit.
Now, it looks as though Southampton will revive their interest in a player they missed out on last summer.
Southampton interested in Max Aarons transfer
Southampton had arguably the best right-back in the Championship last season in Kyle Walker-Peters but the club now look to be pushing to add another to their ranks.
That is according to BBC journalist Nick Mashiter, who posted on ‘X’: Southampton remain keen on Max Aarons and are prepared to try to sign him after missing out to Bournemouth last year.’
Aarons opted to join fellow south coast dwellers Bournemouth over Southampton last summer, with the Cherries paying Norwich City a reported £12 million for his services but could move on after just one season.
With Southampton returning to the Premier League, they could now be an attractive proposition for the Norwich academy graduate.
Southampton target Aarons out of favour at Bournemouth
After a decent start to life at Bournemouth following over 200 Norwich appearances Aarons sustained a hamstring injury in November that saw him sidelined until early March.
The 24-year-old struggled to get back into the side upon his return, with veteran fullback Adam Smith preferred.
Aarons started just two of the ten games following his return to fitness and could well be keen on the short move along the coast to Southampton if he feels his playing time is unlikely to improve under Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
It is likely Southampton will have to at the very least match the £12 million fee Bournemouth paid last summer in order to bring Aarons to St Mary’s, so a bid could depend on whether Walker-Peters remains a Saints player.