Saints will have to fork out £30m if they are to sign former Pompey defender Adam Webster, according to the Bristol Post.

Webster currently plies his trade at Championship side Bristol City, having joined them from Ipswich last year.

The 24-year-old played an integral part throughout their campaign, making 47 appearances and scoring three goals.

Webster came through the ranks at Pompey after initially being rejected by Saints as a youngster.

Following a nine-year spell with the Fratton Park outfit, the defender signed for Ipswich for an undisclosed fee.

He spent two years playing at the Portman Road Stadium before being snapped up for £3.5 by Bristol City.

The report also suggests that Saints are joined by fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa, Burnley, Everton, Leicester, Newcastle and Watford.

It's understood that manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen to add to his defensive department during the transfer window.

However, a £30m investment in Webster seems unlikely at this stage, especially as that would smash the club-record fee they paid for striker Danny Ings.

It's claimed that the Championship outfit are confident of retaining Webster's services for next season.

However, Bristol City boss Lee Johnson revealed he isn't surprised to see their key player linked with a move away.

Speaking to the Bristol Post, Johnson said: "If you’re a Premier League club and you’re not looking at Adam Webster then you’re not doing your business properly.

"He’s a player we definitely want to keep and want to build around. You can never say never in football because if it was a top-six Premier League side that’s chucking out serious money then we’d have to take a view, but at this point, there’s absolutely no intention of moving Webby on."