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Southampton: Dean Jones warns transfer target Koni de Winter may not make big impact right away

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Image for Southampton: Dean Jones warns transfer target Koni de Winter may not make big impact right away

Journalist Dean Jones has questioned the chances of touted Southampton transfer target Koni de Winter immediately making a big impact at the club if he joined. 

According to reports in the Italian media (via Sport Witness), a number of Premier League teams are keen on landing the 20-year-old – with the Saints named as one of his potential suitors.

Evidently, the Belgian defender, who plays for Empoli on loan from Juventus, is a highly-rated prospect and could go on to have a big career. With that in mind, a move for him while he is still young could be wise, but Jones has warned that it might not solve any of Southampton’s form issues any time soon.

Indeed, while speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: “It’s not me doubting the player’s potential at all.

“It’s more about wondering what they’re expecting in terms of an impact and how quickly they expect things to change if he was to come into the team. That’s the only reservation I have over it.”

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In what position did Southampton finish in these seasons? Starting off with 2020/21

TIF Thoughts on Koni de Winter and Southampton…

Southampton certainly do need to see their form improve in the very near future. After a slow start to the season, they find themselves caught in a relegation battle and into the restart second from bottom in the league.

With that in mind, any money spent this winter on new signings would hopefully go on players who could improve them overnight. De Winter has played eight times in Serie A this season, and before his loan move, had only played for the senior Juventus side twice.

Clearly, he has the potential to develop into a top player, but having not played a whole lot of senior football, it would surely be a risk for the Saints to go out and spend millions on him (with his value said to be around €12m (£10.3m).

Therefore, perhaps it would be better to focus on signing more-established players instead of chasing unproven youngsters, which is what they did in the summer with the likes of Gavin Bazunu, Sekou Mara, Romeo Lavia and Armel Bella-Kotchap.

Should Southampton keep signing young players this winter?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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