THIS summer’s transfer window offers Saints the chance to start building something special with Ralph Hasenhuttl in the dugout.

That’s why they should be looking towards the future – and not reflecting on former glories.

Ex-Saint Adam Lallana was linked with a £13 million move back to the club earlier this week after struggling to make an impact at Liverpool this season.

He was an excellent servant for the club having made his way through the youth teams all the way to captaining them to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

But, before he reached his prime, the playmaker had opted to sign for Liverpool back in 2014 for a fee believed to be £25 million.

Saints fans were left unhappy with the manner of Lallana’s exit.

When the England international secured his move away, he took out a full-page advert in the Daily Echo to thank the St Mary’s faithful for everything they did for him.

Upon arriving at Anfield in 2014, it took the 31-year-old a while to get going, but when Jurgen Klopp arrived, there was an instant improvement.

In the 2015/16 season, Lallana played 60 times, which included 11 appearances for England.

The former academy lad had another successful season the year after, playing 42 times and scoring 11 goals.

However, the last two years tell a different story which is why Saints should tread carefully if they decide to bring him in over the summer.

Injuries have limited Lallana to just 32 appearances in the previous two campaigns.

There is no doubting his ability, when fit, to score and create chances.

And it’s been clear for all to see that Saints are still searching for a player of Dusan Tadic’s ilk to be the link between midfield and attack - especially as Shane Long is the only striker to have scored in 2019.

But, aged 31, is Lallana the answer?

Hasenhuttl has spoken plenty of times about how he wants to recruit younger players who - like Lallana did five years ago - will eventually move to a bigger club.

The Saints boss believes this type of player will show copious amounts of passion and hunger during his time on the south coast in order to land himself at one of the top sides.

Should Lallana leave Liverpool this summer, he will no doubt add quality to the side he arrives at.

But, with a limited budget as it is, he would prove to be an expensive gamble for Saints.