Southampton FC transfer latest: Manuel Benson, Amad Diallo, Che Adams, Ben Johnson, Kyle Walker-Peters | OneFootball

It has been an outstanding few months for Southampton in the Championship.

The Saints endured a turbulent start to life back in the second tier following their relegation from the Premier League last season, but after suffering four consecutive defeats in September, they have improved significantly.

Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 19 games with a 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at St Mary's on Saturday, equalling the club record, with goals from Che Adams, Adam Armstrong, Ryan Fraser and Sekou Mara securing an emphatic victory.

Russell Martin's side currently sit third in the table, three points behind second-placed Ipswich Town and 10 points behind leaders Leicester City, and they are back in action when they make the trip to face Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.

The Saints completed their first signing of the January transfer window this week, with midfielder Joe Rothwell arriving on loan from Bournemouth, and there is likely to be more activity at the club over the coming weeks.

With two weeks until the deadline, we rounded up the latest transfer news from St Mary's.

Saints face Manuel Benson competition

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Southampton have made an improved offer to Burnley for winger Manuel Benson.

Tavolieri revealed last month that the Saints were in talks over a potential loan deal for Benson, with an option to buy, but the Burnley Express claimed that the Clarets were unwilling to sell to Southampton after relations between the two clubs deteriorated in the summer.

Winger Nathan Tella spent last season on loan at Turf Moor, but despite Burnley's attempts to bring him back to the club on a permanent basis, Southampton sold him to German side Bayer Leverkusen in August.

Benson starred for the Clarets last season as they won the Championship title, scoring 14 goals and providing five assists in 40 games, but he has fallen out of favour in the Premier League, making just five appearances in all competitions so far this campaign.

The Saints could face competition for Benson's signature, as Tavolieri says that Leeds United have identified the Belgian as a "priority target" should Wilfried Gnonto depart for West Ham United.

Southampton will be hoping to secure a deal for Benson after their hopes of signing Manchester United winger Amad Diallo suffered a major blow.

The Saints, Sunderland, Leicester City and Middlesbrough have all been linked with Diallo, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light last season, but the Daily Mail report that the Red Devils are keen to keep hold of the 21-year-old as he has impressed in training.

Che Adams price tag revealed

One player who could be heading out of St Mary's this month is striker Adams.

Everton, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers were linked with Adams in the summer, and according to talkSPORT, the trio are still interested in the Scotland international.

Adams has scored eight goals and registered two assists in 25 appearances in all competitions this season, including netting five goals in his last nine games, but his contract at St Mary's is set to expire in the summer.

The January window is the Saints' last chance to cash in on Adams, and the club are said to have placed a £6 million valuation on the 27-year-old.

Martin said last month that he believes "there will be a lot of people interested" in Adams in January, but he revealed that he hoped to keep hold of the striker.

Martin told the Daily Echo.

"He wants to be seen in a certain way. He gives everything in training and he is a brilliant character."

West Ham's Ben Johnson stance outlined

Football Insider claimed earlier this month that Southampton are interested in signing West Ham defender Ben Johnson.

The Daily Mail report that as Johnson has not accepted terms on a new contract offer, the Hammers are looking to cash in on him this month to raise funds to bring in attacking reinforcements.

Johnson has made seven appearances in all competitions for David Moyes' side this season, and he is attracting significant interest, with Leeds United, Sheffield United and Rangers also said to be keen.

The Saints could step up their pursuit of Johnson if Kyle Walker-Peters was to move on this month, and journalist Alex Crook believes the 26-year-old could emerge on the radar of Chelsea.

"I don't think there is a recall clause in Mason Holgate's loan, so Everton can't recall him even though he is not playing much. But I guess Southampton could terminate it, and that is a possibility if they could find someone else in that position," Crook told Give Me Sport.

"When it comes to Walker-Peters, there is no sign of him signing a new contract. I think they thought there would be more Premier League interest than there was in the summer. They didn't get a single bid.

"I mentioned West Ham being interested a few weeks ago because they are definitely looking for right-back cover. Even Chelsea could come into it, with Reece James' injury problems.

"He can play at right and left-back, which would be ideal with Ben Chilwell spending time on the sidelines. It wouldn't surprise me if somebody tries to get Walker-Peters before the end of the window."

Walker-Peters has started every league game so far this season for Southampton, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 27 appearances, and it would undoubtedly be a blow if he was to depart.