Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has not given up hope of signing Cagliari centre-back Davide Astori in January, according to a report.
The 26-year-old was rumoured to have been a target of former Saints boss Nigel Adkins, and was also believed to be coveted by the Argentine during the summer before the arrival of Dejan Lovren.
According to The Mirror, the South Coast club will return for the Italian international during the winter transfer window in the hope of further tightening a defence that has only conceded just three goals so far this season.
Astori, who has five caps for the Azzurri and played in last summer's Confederations Cup in Brazil, is thought to be valued at around £10m.