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Ronald Koeman will attempt to continue Southampton’s Midas Touch in the transfer market with a move for £15million-rated midfielder Rafa Silva.

The Saints' boss, who masterminded last Sunday’s stunning Premier League win over Manchester United, has already earned widespread acclaim with the success of his signings so far this season.

Now Koeman - bidding to break into the top four - has rekindled the south-coast club’s long-standing interest in 21-year-old Silva, who plays for Braga in Portugal.

Although they decided against a move last summer, Southampton remain impressed enough by Silva’s talents to try to recruit him this month.

The 5ft 7in attacker, who has scored twice in 16 league appearances this season, has three years left on the five-year deal he signed with his club in June 2013.

(Image: Christopher Lee)

He has since earned three caps for his country and was named in Portugal’s 23-man squad for the World Cup last year.

With his capture, Southampton would be looking to maintain the extraordinary success in the market under Koeman since the mass exodus of the players that did so well under Mauricio Pochettino last season.

Winger Dusan Tadic hit the winner - his fourth goal of an impressive debut campaign - as the Saints beat Manchester United on Sunday to move above them in the table.

Although striker Shane Long has hit only three goals, fellow frontman Graziano Pelle has scored 12 times this season and earned a call-up to the Italian national team.

Midfielder Sadio Mane struck three goals in as many games against Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal before leaving for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal this month.

Manchester United 0-1 Southampton in pictures:

On-loan attacker Eljero Elia, signed this month, hit the ground running in Sunday’s win at United.

Keeper Fraser Forster has been the custodian of the best defence in the Premier League, while Florin Gardos and on-loan defenders Toby Alderweireld and Ryan Bertrand have been outstanding in front of him.

Meanwhile, opponents Ipswich have been rocked by a sickness bug ahead of Wednesday's game.

The virus has almost wiped out an entire midfield, with Cole Skuse, Jay Tabb and Teddy Bishop all non-starters. Defender Tyrone Mings, like Bishop a £10m target for a string of Premier League clubs, has also been laid low.

Boss Mick McCarthy played down the crisis and said: “We sent them all home - but I think the other 14 players are okay.

“I’m actually quite pleased because it knocked me out for about a week and I thought I was getting soft. But now it’s hit the younger, fitter guys I realise I’m not!”