The transfer window has barely been open a week, but already Saints are being linked with a plethora of players, the latest is a striker from Spain who has Premier League experience, it sounds a good fit, but how much truth does it have.
The player in question according to footballfancast.com is Ben Brereton Diaz, the striker whose parent club in Spain is Villareal spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United, but after now returning from that loan spell, it is said that he is heading out of the club again for the coming season.
Despite his Spanish signing surname, Brereton Diaz was actually born in Stoke on Trent and began his career at Nottingham Forest making 53 appearances and scoring 8 times, before moving to Blackburn Rovers initially on loan in 2018.
In his 5 seasons at Ewood Park he played 160 League games scoring 45 goals, he left the club in 2023 at the end of his contract and signed for Villarreal on a four year deal reportebly worth £35,000 a week.
But his chances in Spain were limited, in the first half of the season he would start just twice in La Liga, although he would come on as a sub on 12 occasions out of 19 possible games.
This lead to a loan to Sheffield United in January 2024 and he flourished at Bramall Lane, despite the Blades season ending in relegation, he would start 14 of the 15 games he was available for.
Playing mainly as a central striker and occasionally out wide, he would score 6 goals, a decent total on a goals per game ratio.
Although born in England he is in fact a Chilean International through his Mother and he has played 29 times for Chile, scoring 7 goals.
Having only turned 25 in April and with around 250 League games to his name and 59 goals, he has that balance of youth and experience that Saints will be looking for in this window, not mention the flexibility to operate either down the centre or on the wings.
Whether it will be a loan deal or Villarreal are looking to move him on permanently isn't yet clear, if it was to be permanent, Brereton Diaz current value is around £8 - 10 million , so it wouldn't break the bank and Villarreal having got him on an out of contract free transfer would probably not be too worried about hanging on for a big fee.
Wages would also not be a problem given the £35k he is currently said to be on.
On paper this looks a reasonable shout for Saints if as expected Che Adams leave the club in a few weeks time.