Mauricio Pellegrino has impressed Southampton as their interviews into the vacant managerial job near a conclusion but he is also prominent on Crystal Palace’s shortlist to succeed Sam Allardyce.

Southampton have been meeting candidates since the sacking last week of Claude Puel and are nearing a decision, with Pellegrino still high among a small remaining list of candidates.

Pellegrino, though, could be about to face a choice after also being identified by Palace. Southampton’s infrastructure and success in establishing themselves in the top half of the Premier League would make them confident of representing a more attractive proposition than Palace.

The arrival of Pellegrino, 45, would be certain to draw immediate comparison with Southampton’s appointment of Mauricio Pochettino in 2013 after he had also played in both Argentina and Spain before managing in La Liga.

Pellegrino does also have experience of English football after playing under Rafael Benitez at Liverpool and then also working as his assistant on Merseyside for two years.