Southampton are hoping that they will be able to convince Michael Dawson to leave Tottenham in January in order to help them battle against relegation.

The Saints have set an unwanted Premier League record by conceding a staggering 24 goals in just eight games this season and are unsurprisingly keen to bolster their defensive options when the transfer window opens in January.

Michael Dawson
Dawson has featured in the Europa League but has played just one minute of Premier League football [Reuters]

The Daily Mirror has reported that Southampton are prepared to make an offer of £7.5million to Tottenham as they attempt to address their defensive frailties.

Tottenham are most likely willing to listen to offers for Dawson as they were prepared to sell the defender in the summer when Queens Park Rangers made an offer.

It was only the decision of Dawsom to turn down that move that saw him remain at White Hart Lane where he has struggled to force his way in the first team under Andre Villas-Boas.

Dawson was told that he would be well down the pecking order after Jan Vertonghen was signed from Ajax and Steven Caulker returned from his season-long loan at Swansea.

With William Gallas and Younes Kaboul also considered ahead of Dawson, the 28-year-old has been forced to sit on the sidelines as he hopes to gain an opportunity to impress.

The former Nottingham Forest defender has made just three appearances this season and has played just one minute of Premier League football.

It is a far cry from when he was regularly in England squads and one of the first names on the teamsheet under Harry Redknapp. Dawson was even one of the favourites to be awarded the captaincy after the retirement of Ledley King.

However, it seems unlikely that he will be able to force his way into the plans of Villas-Boas and the guarantee of regular first team football at Southampton may well persuade him to leave White Hart Lane.

Southampton have proved that they are willing to spend on important players, with chairman Nicola Cortese sanctioning the £11million raid on Bologna for highly-rated winger Gaston Ramirez.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins will want to address the defensive situation in January as he has already expressed his frustration at some of the defending taking place this season.

Adkins told BBC Radio Solent: "I keep going on about learning but we need to learn a lot quicker and keep the ball out of the back of the net."