Preston North End's Kaine Kesler Hayden (right) and Sheffield United's Callum O'Hare battle for the ball (Image: PA)
SAINTS have reportedly joined Championship rivals Coventry City in the race to sign Aston Villa right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden this summer.
Kesler-Hayden, 22, spent this season on loan at second tier Preston, scoring two goals and registering three assists in 44 appearances.
The Villa youngster is a former England youth international and has played 134 senior games, including three in the Premier League.
Birmingham-born Kesler-Hayden has impressed in loan spells at Swindon Town, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle prior to Preston.
Saints will look to sign a right-back amid the impending departure of Kyle Walker-Peters and have been linked with Sturm Graz's Max Johnston.
Kyle Walker-Peters is out of contract this summer (Image: Richard Crease)
Birmingham World report that Saints and Coventry are in the race to sign Kesler-Hayden, while Preston also want to keep their player of the season.
The report adds that Villa see the defender as a top-end Championship or lower Premier League player and value him at around £8million.
Last week, it was reported elsewhere that Coventry have prepared a £5million bid for Kesler-Hayden, with Villa needing to sell for PSR reasons.
The Villans are at risk of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and have until June 30 to get themselves in the clear.