Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Saints are interested in defenders Florin Gardos and Marcos Rojo, but insists neither of them have signed yet.

Saints are in the market for a new left sided centre half following the summer departure of Dejan Lovren, and both Gardos and Rojo fit the bill.

Reports in Romania today said that Gardos has completed a €6m (£4.8m) move from Steaua Bucharest to Saints, while Portuguese press have reported that Sporting Lisbon have rejected a €17m (£13.5m) bid for Rojo.

Koeman confirmed Saints’ interest but said talks of completed deals were wide of the mark.

Of Grada he said: “We are interested in the player but until now they haven’t told me that it’s signed or it’s OK.

“I don’t know but we are interested, that is true.”

When asked if the club were interested in Rojo he replied: “Yes.” When asked what stage it was at he added: “It’s more questions for the chairman and Les Reed.”

Koeman is still hoping to add to his squad quickly, with Celtic keeper Fraser Forster also expected to move to St Mary’s.

“It’s not that I say one or two or three, but we need more competition in the squad that we have until now. Maybe one or two or three because we have to be prepared,” said the Saints boss.

“I am very happy about the qualities in the squad until now, but you know even more than I know that a season is long in the Premier League and we need more players and more players on the level of the Premier League.

“To have real competition in the squad for that there will come more players in.”