Mauricio Pellegrino has insisted Southampton want to keep Virgil van Dijk and still sign another centre-back.
Saints are thought to be closing in on landing Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt for a fee of £15.5million.
St Mary's boss Pellegrino refused to rule out a move for the Netherlands centre-back, before claiming he would rather have too many defenders than not enough this season.
Wantaway defender Van Dijk continues to agitate for a transfer before the end of the month, and will sit out Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham.
Asked if he wants to add another centre-back to his squad even if Saints retain Van Dijk's services though, Pellegrino replied: "Yes, because as you know right now it's the position that we are in disadvantage.