Southampton are eager to buy outright Tottenham fullback Kyle Walker-Peters.
The Sun says Saints are racing to try to wrap up the permanent signing of Walker-Peters to avoid another of their Premier League rivals snatching the defender from under their noses.
Walker-Peters has made a big impact on the South Coast since joining the club on loan from Tottenham in January but that deal did not give them an automatic right to buy.
And with Spurs ready to flog the 23-year-old right-back for £10million to bring in some much needed funds, his form for Saints has caught the eye of several teams in the top flight.
Boss Ralph Hassenhutl now sees the right-back as his first choice and feels he provides the much-needed defensive nous his team had been lacking in that position.
