Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that he is interested in signing Tottenham's Andros Townsend, but he fears he may not be able to seal the deal for the winger ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.
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Sources told ESPN FC earlier this week that the Saints have made an offer for the 23-year-old, and Koeman now going public to state that he is keen to acquire the player recalled to the England squad for next week's game against Norway at Wembley.
"It's one of the players on our list, but it's very difficult and I don't expect good news about that," said Koeman when asked about Townsend by reporters on Friday. "You can't say completely because this is football.
"We work very hard to bring in new players in different positions, but still at the moment it is not done. Some deals are not realistic."
Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino -- who left Southampton this summer -- confirmed on Thursday that Townsend still has a future at White Hart Lane, though Koeman wants the player to make an instant impact at St Mary's after a transfer window that has seen the south coast club lose Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and Calum Chambers.
Koeman went on to suggest he is expecting a physical battle when he travels to Upton Park to take on Sam Allardyce's West Ham on Saturday, and thinks the Hammers promote a style of football that very different to his own philosophy on the game.
"West Ham are an aggressive team and play in a physical way, different to our philosophy," added Koeman. "It's always difficult to beat that type of team, and it will be the same on Saturday. Winning in the league is always important because it's the best way to gain confidence.
"We need to improve ourselves and get confidence. You have to be prepared and we are prepared for Saturday."