Southampton are understood to be closing in on the capture of Holland defender Wesley Hoedt from Lazio.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino has refused to rule out a deal for Hoedt, while the St Mary's outfit are said to have lodged a £15million bid for 23-year-old, who has been capped four times.

Southampton continue to insist they can retain wantaway defender Virgil van Dijk, despite the Dutchman 26-year-old continuing to agitate for a move to Liverpool.

Southampton are reportedly close to signing Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt, 23, from Lazio

The Saints are understood to have bid £15million for the four-time Holland international

Hoedt was an unused sub as Lazio beat Juventus 3-2 to win the Italian Super Cup last week

When quizzed on Hoedt, Pellegrino replied: 'I know the player but I will not talk about the market because when you talk about it, a negotiation isn't 80 per cent or 90 per cent, the negotiation is either 100 per cent or zero per cent.

'When he signs, a player is then for you to talk about, but before that I have nothing to say.'

Former Celtic star Van Dijk missed Southampton's goalless Premier League opener with Swansea on Saturday, officially due to a virus.

Pellegrino revealed the centre back has now recovered - but will not be considered for selection for Saturday's home league clash with West Ham.

'The Virgil situation, nothing has changed, it's the same as last week,' said Pellegrino, of Van Dijk.

'For that reason I have nothing to say on that. He's okay but he won't be available to play.'

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has remained tight-lipped on the subject of Hoedt

The Gao family from China completed their takeover of Southampton by purchasing an 80 per cent stake in the club this week.

Katharina Liebherr will retain a 20 per cent investment in Saints, and Pellegrino hopes the deal will further stabilise the club's future.

Chairman Ralph Krueger has also this week reiterated the club's determination not to sell Van Dijk, leaving Pellegrino still confident Saints can retain their highly-rated defender.

'When I met (technical director) Les Reed and Ralph (Krueger), they told me that they want to keep the best players on the pitch,' said Pellegrino.

'And at this moment Southampton want to progress on the pitch.

'The idea in the club was to keep the best players in the club.

'Ralph was clear, Les was clear, and hopefully we've got the same idea, that to progress as a club we have to keep our best players.

'And if you've got the fortune to bring in another good player we'll be stronger.'