Southampton could look to pay around £25m to one of the Premier League’s top clubs for a striker this summer.
That is according to TalkSport reporter Alex Crook, who was speaking to GiveMeSport about Southampton’s transfer plans this window, prior to the club reaching an £11m agreement with Bordeaux for the transfer of striker Sekou Mara.
The Saints may need some more firepower up front this season, with the club ranking 13th in the goalscoring charts across the Premier League campaign last term.
As well as the agreement for the transfer of Mara, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side also made a £16m bid for Manchester City striker Liam Delap – which was rejected by the Premier League champions, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Before the arrival of the young Bordeaux striker, Southampton’s only two strikers consisted of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong – neither of whom hit the heights last season.
And Crook believes that the club could be willing to spend a large proportion of their transfer budget to sign a player from one of the Premier League’s top sides this summer.
He said: “I think there could be a £20-25m deal.
“They’ve got a few names on their list, I think maybe even from some of the bigger clubs in the Premier League.
“They’re just waiting to see whether some of the fringe players at [Manchester] United and maybe Chelsea etc feature once they’ve been on their pre-season tours.”
TIF Thoughts on Crook’s comments…
We believe that Armando Broja’s return to Chelsea after a successful loan spell at Southampton last season has left Hasenhüttl’s side short in the striker department, even with the signing of Mara.
We think that it would be in the club’s best interests to try and secure the signing of another proven Premier League performer, in case the signing of Mara doesn’t work out.
Though whether they will still seek another big-money deal following the 19-year-old’s arrival remains to be seen.