The Athletic’s Dan Sheldon has outlined exactly what sort of player Southampton want to sign this summer and when they want to bring him in.
Having sold a number of first-team players this season – including Danny Ings, Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard – it seems the club will be looking to add a new signing or two before the window closes.
According to Sheldon, it looks as though Southampton have identified the one position they definitely will be targetting in the next week or so.
While speaking on the Total Saints podcast, he explained that the club want to sign a centre-back and will hope to bring one in before their next Premier League game.
Sheldon said: “They’re looking for a player that can play more than one role. And I think after [Saturday’s game], it’s evident that they do need strengthening at the back. Ralph likes two players for every position, and at the moment, they’ve only got three centre-halves.”
He then added: “Their main target now, of course, is replacing Jannik and that search is well underway. There’s been talk that the player could come from Europe.
“So if that’s the case, then I guess that deal may take a little bit longer to complete. But yeah, I’m sure Ralph will want someone in by the time five-star Man United turn up at St. Mary’s next weekend.”
TIF thoughts on Southampton’s transfer activity…
With Vestergaard recently moving to Leicester City for a reported fee of £15m, it makes a lot of sense for the Saints to go out and target a replacement signing.
The club have been linked with Liam Scales of Shamrock Rovers, but unfortunately for Southampton, the defender now looks set for a Celtic switch instead.
Whoever they end up chasing, they’ll have to move quickly if they want to have a new man in before they face Manchester United in the Premier League this Sunday.