Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino wants to buy outright this month.

If at all possible Pellegrino wants players at St Mary's on a permanent basis rather than a temporary deal to ensure they are invested in the future of the club.

He said: “Obviously (we prefer permanent deals) because when you bring somebody for five years it is not the same as bringing somebody for six months.

“I have played on a six month contract and for three or four years and the feeling is completely different.

“It depends obviously. There are some player on the market that it is impossible for us to buy them and others it depends on the age, and you can bring them with the option to buy them in June.

“Now we have got our target but the plan a, b and c and after we are waiting."

Meanwhile, Pellegrino sees their clash with Watford as "massive".

The hosts currently sit 10th and having already shown their qualities at St Mary's with a 2-0 win, Pellegrino is wary of what his side will come up against.

He said: “It's a massive game because Watford are a difficult side. Obviously I feel we are much better prepared than the game at home because that was before an international break.

“Now we have to do something away that we couldn't do at home. My team is better prepared."