Swansea City head coach Russell Martin is close to being named Southampton manager.
Southampton are yet to make an official approach to Swansea for permission to speak to Martin.
Saints are confident the 37-year-old will be their new boss as they rebuild following Premier League relegation.
Martin has only a year to run on his Swansea contract and has not travelled to the US for scheduled talks with Swansea’s American ownership group.
He has repeatedly said he would be interested in extending his stay in Wales, but no new deal has materialised.
Martin had been set to cross the Atlantic this week for talks over future plans, but the trip was cancelled with the former Scotland defender now the leading contender to be named as Ruben Selles’ successor.
Former Norwich City captain Martin signed a three-year contract when he left MK Dons to succeed Steve Cooper at Swansea in August 2021.
He led Swansea to 15th in his first season as a Championship boss, and 10th in 2022-23 – an undulating campaign which ended with a rousing nine-game unbeaten run.
Martin’s Swansea played the sort of possession football which has been the club’s trademark for much of the last 15 years, with his commitment to that style believed to appeal to Southampton’s hierarchy.
Having been relegated from the top flight, the Saints are aiming to appoint a new boss swiftly following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
