Toby Alderweireld has expressed a desire to seal a permanent switch to Southampton after revealing that he is "so happy" at the club.
The Atletico Madrid loanee has established himself as a prominent figure in a Saints defence that has conceded just five times in 11 Premier League games thus far, with Ronald Koeman's side second in the table.
Alderweireld, 25, only started 10 Atletico games in La Liga last season, and the Belgian admits that he has his heart set on staying with the South Coast club beyond the end of his season-long loan.
"I'm not going to lie - if they made me an offer, I probably would accept. I'm just so happy there," he is quoted as saying by The Express.
"I did not play much last year. I have learned a lot in Madrid, but my hunger to perform weekly was particularly great.
"I now want to give everything for a whole season for Southampton, and then see whether the club wants to take me permanently from Atletico."
Alderweireld's contract with the Spanish champions expires in 2017.
Shane Callaghan
