Dan Neil in advanced talks for next transfer as West Ham want to seal deal
Dan Neil continues to be courted by West Ham United ahead of their Championship return.
The midfielder officially leaves Sunderland at the end of the month, with his contract expiring at the same time his loan spell with Ipswich comes to an end.
Neil has been a Hammers target for some time, with his name resurfacing this summer.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are looking to immediately bounce back to the Premier League, though the summer has been far from easy thus far.
The expected sales of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville are yet to go through, while no groundwork has been laid regarding incomings.
And they may now be set to miss out on a long-term target, with Neil eyeing up other options.
Dan Neil left with decision to make as contract crunch time arrives
Following Sunderland's promotion last May, Neil would fall out of favour at the Stadium of Light.
Graciously, the Black Cats allowed him to leave on loan in January, allowing him to get minutes under his belt before finding a club over the summer.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie reports that the Irons are interested, alongside Wolves.
But crucially, Southampton are in advanced talks with the midfielder, who is close to agreeing a deal.
Southampton will still believe that they should be a Premier League club now, after being kicked out of the playoffs in May.
But, the Saints look to be wasting no time in going up next season, by bringing in someone who has two promotions under his belt at the age of 24 - achieving the feat with Sunderland and Ipswich.
Neil transfer could have a big knock-on effect
Next year's Championship is already looking seriously competitive.
In Middlesbrough and Southampton, two sides who were arguably the 'best' outside the top two, ended up staying in the division.
Both of them will be aiming to be back up at the thick end of things, as will the ambitious Wrexham and Birmingham with their investment from across the pond.
Neil moving to Southampton would be a real statement - potentially showing other players just where the place to be in the Championship is next term.
Tonda Eckert has a fantastic group, with the likes of Leo Scienza, Caspar Jander and Cyle Larin proving immense last term, this would only get stronger with Neil.
Ahead of the season, the likes of West Ham will have to begin making similar statements of their own, or the tag of favourites could slip.