Southampton are continuing to climb up the Championship table and thrust themselves into the automatic promotion conversation, as German head coach Tonda Eckert already seemingly has one eye on the January window.

Southampton started the 2026/27 Championship season on -4 points after being found guilty of spying on opponents last time around, but the Saints have not let that affect their push towards the upper echelons of the second tier table.

With six wins, three draws, and just two defeats in their opening 11 games, Southampton are well within the hunt for the automatic promotion places, and with the January window just a couple of months away, head coach Eckert is looking to add some more firepower to his attacking ranks.

Southampton hold an interest in Leeds United striker Lukas Nmecha

According to TEAMtalk, Southampton are one of numerous clubs interested in Leeds United's German striker Lukas Nmecha, with the 27-year-old attracting potential suitors in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Wrexham, FC Köln, and multiple other German Bundesliga clubs are said to be interested in Nmecha, with the forward firmly behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor, and Brenden Aaronson in the pecking order at Elland Road.

Eckert is looking to add his compatriot to his attacking line at St Mary's as early as January, as though they must overcome stern competition for his signature, one key factor could make his exit a lot easier.

Lukas Nmecha could leave Leeds United in January amid impending contract expiry

Nmecha arrived in West Yorkshire in the summer of 2025 on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, penning a two-year deal with Leeds, and going on to make 31 Premier League appearances in his debut season for the club, scoring six and assisting once.

The majority of those minutes, as a result of Calvert-Lewin's form, were limited to coming off the bench, and his situation doesn't appear to have improved under Daniel Farke this year.

Nmecha's current deal at Elland Road is set to expire next summer, making him eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club from January 1.

With no indications that a fresh deal will be agreed between player and club, Leeds could well cash in on the German in January, which could be music to Southampton's ears, but would surely only consider doing so if a replacement can be sourced.

Southampton will hope Leeds United sign a striker in January to allow Lukas Nmecha's exit

Southampton are not especially struggling in their striking department, boasting each of Cyle Larin, Lewis Dobbin, and Divin Mubama, though their reported interest in Nmecha is hardly a surprise.

Larin is without a doubt Eckert's preferred option up top, which has limited minutes for Dobbin, who joined from Aston Villa for £9 million over the summer, and Mubama, who joined on loan from Manchester City.

Mubama is expected to return to the North West in any case at the end of the season, or even in January if Nmecha signs, whilst Dobbin has yet to justify his price tag.

Southampton will continue to monitor Nmecha's situation at Leeds, and will be hoping the Whites can strike an agreement of their own to bring a new striker to the club in January, which would free up the Saints to make a move for the German.

Leeds will have little intention of losing Nmecha for nothing, and may well be tempted into a January sale, but must first find a viable replacement for the 27-year-old, as Southampton and Eckert will be praying for the Whites to do so.

Would you like to see Lukas Nmecha at Southampton? Do you think Leeds will sign another striker in January to facilitate his sale? Share your thoughts below!

Though the January window is a couple of months away, the transfer rumour mill never totally stops; it just slows down, as Southampton and Eckert are already eyeing potential options ahead of the winter window.

Having ended last campaign in disappointment, Eckert will be hoping to right those wrongs this time around, and having completed excellent January deals for Larin and Daniel Peretz previously, will be hoping to complete a similar trick with Nmecha.

Nmecha could be the final piece of the puzzle the Saints need to get over the line and secure their return to the Premier League, as Eckert will be monitoring his situation closely across the next two months.