Paulo Sousa is ready to become the next manager of Southampton.

The Sun claim Sousa has held talks with Saints and is a leading contender to replace Mark Hughes.

That is if the Welshman is sacked, which is expected given the south coast club's precarious position in the Premier League.

Sousa is highly regard by Southampton's Chinese owners following his spell with CSL club Tianjin Quanjian.

The Portuguese has experience managing in England, having worked at Swansea City and Leicester City in the past.