Southampton FC transfer latest: Ben Johnson update, Kyle Walker-Peters to Chelsea talk, David Brooks | OneFootball

Southampton are looking for a way back to the Premier League this season, challenging for an automatic promotion place in the Championship this season.

The Saints currently sit third in the Championship, just three points behind Ipswich Town in the race for the automatic promotion spot in second place.

With half a season of football to play, a lot can happen between now and the end of the season. To try and get the best results, they may need to dip into the transfer market and improve their squad before the end of February.

A number of players have been rumoured to be linked with the Saints, with a big name potentially exiting the club before the end of the transfer window.

Southampton face competition for Ben Johnson transfer as West Ham reveal plans

One man who could be on his way to Southampton this month is West Ham United's Ben Johnson, although the Saints face stiff competition if they are to win his signature.

The defender is out of contract at the end of the season, and West Ham are hesitant to loan out the 23-year-old. They want to command a transfer fee to let him leave this month according to MailPlus, which could put off some clubs in their pursuit.

Southampton are one of several clubs reportedly in pursuit of the right-back this season. They are joined with clubs like Leeds United, Sheffield United and Rangers in their pursuit of the defender, according to a report from Football Insider.

Johnson is an experience Premier League defender, and was a part of West Ham's UEFA Conference League winning side last season. His experience at a high level could prove invaluable for Southampton, as they aim to find their way back into the Premier League after just one season away.

With Johnson rumoured to be coming into Southampton this month, another right-back could find himself on the way out of St Mary's.

Defender Kyle-Walker Peters has reportedly received interest from Chelsea, with the Premier League club looking to strengthen their squad after a disappointing first half of the season.

TalkSport's Alex Crook has reported that Walker-Peters could be a target of Chelsea this January, as the London side struggle with the continued absence of the perpetually injured Reece James at right back.

James is expected to be out injured until March, so Chelsea will need to dip into the transfer market if they want to challenge for one of the European places this season.

Walker-Peters contract with the Saints runs out at the end of next season, so the club may be tempted into cashing in on the defender now, while he stock is high after a fantastic half-season in the Championship so far.

The Saints have been linked with a number of attackers in this transfer window, including two top talents from the Premier League.

Southampton have been linked with Manchester United's Amad Diallo and Bournemouth's David Brooks in recent weeks, with both players having looked likely to leave their parent clubs on loan.

However, journalist Dean Jones has reported that Brooks is a much more likely signing for the Saints than Diallo, citing Leicester's failure to sign Diallo from United as a reason why Brooks more like a likely signing.

Leicester City thought they had a deal fro Diallo agreed earlier this season, only to see the Ivorian remain at Old Trafford instead. With the loan of Jadon Sancho back to Borussia Dortmund, Diallo has a much better chance of playing regularly at United in the second half of the season, especially now his injury issues look to be behind him.

Brooks was a top young talent a few years ago, but a cancer diagnosis and treatment cost him years of his career. Now back to full health, the 26-year-old Wales international could drop down to the Championship for more playing time with Southampton.