Reports are emerging in the press that Michael Obafemi is on the radar of several clubs, will Saints look to cash in on an undoubted talent, but who has still not quite shown he has the dedication and consistency.

There can be no doubt that Michael Obafemi has a lot of talent, but there is a suggestion that his ability is based mainly on pace and not enough on other skills needed to truly make it at the top.

Obafemi is a very reactive player, get him running at a side with the ball or put a ball into a channel for him to chase and he will be dangerous, but he is not pro active, unlike Danny Ings Shane Long or Che Adams, he is annonymous off the ball, he doesn't make the runs that create space for others, perhaps that will come with experience, but my feeling that this is something that you either have the natural instinct for or you don't.

Obafemi made his debut back in January 2018 as an 82nd minute sub against Spurs in a 1-1 draw at St Mary's, but it was two years ago in the Autumn of 2018 he truly burst on the scene with a number of appearances culminating with his first goal against Huddersfield away just before Xmas.

But then something went wrong, he would make only one more appearance that season, the club said it was an injury, but the whisper was that it was more about his off field lifestyle that was holding him back and preventing him training hard and putting in the dedication needed to make it as a player at Premier League level.

This season he seems to have got his act together fitness wise, but he has failed to find consistency, too often his pace will flatter, but there is no end product.

That is not to say he is not a talent, he clearly has the ability to succeed, he has a knack for scoring a goal and his pace can frighten defenders, but it is that lack of consistency that is a concern, too often he disappears in a game if we are under the cosh, his work rate off the ball and indeed his understanding of what he needs to do when we are not in possession seems to be lacking.

But he is still only 20 and can learn, although as I said I question whether he can.

So the news that Aston Villa are about to launch a £10 million bid for the player is interesting, Saints have to have a long hard think about whether they see him being able to step up a gear, he has had a promising 2 1/2 years since his debut, but he hasn't quite moved up a step from where he was 2 years ago.

What we don't know is whether the club feel that he has changed his attitude sufficiently to be able to become a truly Premier League quality player, the Championship is littered with former promising youngsters at Premier League level.

West Brom are also said to be looking at Obafemi and the fact that these stories are in the press seems to suggest that someone somewhere is looking to make something happen, whether that is Villa who genuinely see him as a target, whether it is his agent who wants to to move him on or whether it is Saints themselves is unclear.

Personally I think we should hang on to him for at least another year, this will be a crucial season for him, one that he now needs to either make himself more than just an impact player coming off the bench, but a genuine starter who makes things happen.

Saints will now have to weigh up whether they think he has what it takes to do that or to cash in now perhaps with a sell on clause.

Photo: Action Images

sandywelsh added 10:27 - Aug 16 £10 million Get Rid he is never going to be any good.
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dirk_doone added 10:55 - Aug 16 He only just had his 20th birthday last month yet he's scored 2 goals and had 2 assists in his last 8 Premier League games in spite of only coming on as a sub in most of them. Imagine how good he'll be in 4 years' time, when he's the same age as Che Adams is now. He has great pace and an eye for goal. He is a hell of a prospect who is only going to get better. No wonder other Premier League clubs are interested in him.

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A1079 added 10:56 - Aug 16 I would not want to see him go. I think it is too early to write him off. He is not getting regular game time and it is ridiculous to suggest or expect him to produce the goods every time on the rare occasions or short spells that he gets or has had to date. I believe Obafemi has potential. Yes, he needs to read the game better and anticipate and look up more when he is going on one of his runs. Redmond has loads of experience but look how often he fails to deliver a decent final ball or convert a good chance but we don't write him off. Obafemi is young and still learning, Yes, there has to be a point where you decide whether or not Obafemi is going to make it at this level and at Saints but I don't think we are anywhere near that point yet. He should spend at least another season with us.

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saintpete01 added 11:06 - Aug 16 Totally agree with A1079 Let’s not shoot ourselves in the Foot and rush into a decision he’s definitely worth another season to see how he develops
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dirk_doone added 11:08 - Aug 16 Yes, we certainly don't want to let him go now. He already looks like he'll be good for at least 10 Premier League goals a season at worst and at best he could develop into a 20 goals + 20 assists a season striker. He is not only a goal poacher; he is also good at threading through good final passes to other strikers. If Ings or Adams get tired or injured, we're going to need him. He's also the best impact sub we've had for a very long time as you know there is a good chance he'll score or create a goal when he comes on.

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Chesham_Saint added 11:20 - Aug 16 For me it’s simple. What would we do with the £10m? The chances of finding a replacement with his potential who would immediately do well seem small. Or would the additional £10m in the kitty give us enough to land and established player? Again doubtful at best and probably unlikely. The answer then is keep. Next?
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SanMarco added 11:23 - Aug 16 Yep - I am with the majority on this one. I share Nick's reservations about him but £10m?? If they want him then come up with an offer we can't refuse.
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underweststand added 12:28 - Aug 16 If Michael is content to be third / fourth choice striker for another season then it will remain "status quo..." but he may not improve significantly enough by just playing in whatever Cup games we have, and satisfying himself with 10-15 mins. "sub minutes" once in a while...whilst we have; Ings, Adams, Djenepo and the evergreen Shane Long being chosen before him. At best he must show up well whenever he does get game time, and if the pecking order is unchanged after the 20/21 season, them maybe he be up for grabs at a bit more than £10 million. He does need more experience and coaching for the role as one or two strikers which might be a "big ask" if he goes to one of the above-named clubs who are most certain to struggle in the Prem. Even if a move may look attractive - with the chance to play regular Prem. football - perhaps the best advice is.... Stay put MIchael and get better ASAP.

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Block8 added 12:54 - Aug 16 Perhaps the sensible option is a loan deal? Saints can monitor his performances & if they are good enough we either keep him or the price goes up. We know he will not get game time with us, so put him somewhere he will & let's see how it pans out?
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GeordieSaint added 13:03 - Aug 16 Can’t see that one happening unless he is after a payday. The new deal for long suggests to me that Shane will become more of a back up with oba playing more frequently allowing him to grow into the role. Seems a bit unfair to question his attitude that season. He clearly wrecked his hamstring in that away game at arsenal after being rushed back from a similar injury.

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Saidou added 13:58 - Aug 16 This kid is Ralph's to nurture. Sniff around Ralph's kids and you shall have a taste of my sword 🗡️
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vanmans added 14:04 - Aug 16 Maybe keep hold of him for another season but send him out on loan to see if can improve. At the moment he is not up to Premier League standard and a season in a lower league might make him better. He just runs around like a headless chicken with no positional sense at all.
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ItchenNorth added 14:08 - Aug 16 I heard many months ago from an reliable inside contact that the issue is all off-field, attitude and therefore fitness as well. This season is last chance saloon if he stays. Not too bothered if he goes tbh.
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SaintPaulVW added 16:31 - Aug 16 I see him as on track to be the replacement for Shane Long. He doesn't score many but his work rate and speed pulls defenders out of place. Obafemi's pace is always going to play on defenders' minds Ward Prowse took a while to come through. Keep
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perazi added 22:24 - Aug 16 I'd keep Obafemi....he has shown enough to suggest improvement and consistency may follow. Has some key attributes in pace and an eye for goal. What might be fuelling the rumour is the reported interest in the young Arsenal striker Balogun.
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BlackKnlght11 added 05:12 - Aug 17 If the offer is genuine the get rid off. Way off being anywhere good enough for a permanent starting place. All pace, but lacks the where with all to make a decent Premiership striker. Might be OK in the lower leagues though
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Peterx added 09:14 - Aug 17 Serious dilemma, he's young, serious speed, has scored when he got chances, suspect workrate and has the hamstring issues. Reminds me a bit of a younger Adama Traore and we know how that story is developing. If the offer was 15M I would say sell and invest properly with 2 good youngsters in defensive midfield and at the back which could really influence our season positively. Don't like the loan option so much as I'm not sure that another club would be so careful about playing him when slightly injured etc.

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halftimeorange added 10:11 - Aug 17 You need happy, bubbly people around the dressing-room and this lad is just that. He's still very young and he has shown an eye for goal and, with more game time, he might give a better return than Nathan Redmond (as has ben mentioned above). If he's a bit wild then an older pro should be mentoring him. It's too early to sell him on. A loan is a possibility but, I think he should be kept with our first-team squad for the time being.

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SaintBrock added 15:06 - Aug 18 Grab the money and get rid, £12-15m if we can get it. Suspect Ralph has finally given up on him through exasperation.
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