Southampton will be looking at Kamaldeen Sulemana as a 'key man' in their bid to ensure Premier League action returns to St Mary's next season, journalist Pete O'Rourke has told GiveMeSport.
Ruben Selles is currently in caretaker charge of Saints, following the sacking of Nathan Jones earlier this month, but they remain in danger of dropping into the Championship despite a 1-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend.
Southampton latest news - Kamaldeen Sulemana
According to Sky Sports, Sulemana became Southampton's record signing when he completed a move worth £22million, plus bonuses, from French side Rennes on transfer deadline day last month.
The report suggests the Ghana international opted to head to the south coast instead of joining fellow Premier League strugglers Everton.
It is understood that Southampton will pay a further £2.6million in add-ons after beating Everton, who submitted a verbal offer, to Sulemana's services.
The winger has wasted no time in adjusting to the pace of the English top flight and has made Saints more of an attacking threat, with Sofascore statistics showing he has averaged 2.7 shots per game.
Respected reporter Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that Sulemana's presence at St Mary's could tempt managers to take the Southampton job.
What has Pete O'Rourke said about Sulemana?
O'Rourke believes Southampton are desperate for Sulemana to prove his value and that it was a good call to splash the cash by firing them to Premier League survival.
The journalist feels Jones' long-term successor will make the 21-year-old one of the first names on the team-sheet.
O'Rourke told GiveMeSport: "They've obviously spent big money on Sulemana. They're hoping that he can have an immediate impact at the club and help fire them to safety in the Premier League.
"I think whoever takes over permanently at Southampton will be looking at Sulemana as a key man in their bid to try and stay up. If they do stay up, they will be looking to Sulemana to be one of the main players to try and build their team around and improve things as well.
"He was a big outlay in the January transfer window and Southampton obviously have high hopes that he can help transform their fortunes."
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Who is in the running to become Southampton's next manager?
According to The Athletic, caretaker boss Selles is keen to be installed as Southampton's permanent manager.
The report suggests the Spaniard, who joined Saints' coaching staff when Ralph Hasenhuttl was still at the helm last summer, has insisted he is ready to make the job his own.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are interested in succeeding Jones, with intermediaries from each of their camps touching base with Saints owners Sport Republic.
Marcelo Gallardo, who is out-of-work after leaving Argentinian giants River Plate last year, is also on Southampton's radar.
But Jesse Marsch will not be heading to St Mary's after talks broke down due to failing to reach an agreement over the length of contract.
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