After the signing of Ben Brereton Diaz yesterday it seemed that Saints may have completed their attacking transfer signings other than Ryan Fraser, but now it seems that there is a slight change of tactics from Russell Martin.

This rumour has been floating around a little for the last few days, but it is picking up pace, MSN are suggesting that Southampton are in for a new central striker, most Saints fans had assumed that the central striker had been signed with Ben Brereton Diaz signing, but the Chilean International is just as much a wide striker in the mode of Adam Armstrong as he is a central striker.

So now comes the news that Saints are interested in Youssoufa Moukoko from German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Moukoko is very much a striker and is seeking a move away from Dortmund after his playing time was extremely limited last season, he played 20 games but totalled only 613 minutes in the Bundesliga, yet still managed 5 goals.

This was his 4th season as a member of the Dortmund first team squad after he broke through in 2020/21 and then seemed to have cemented his place in the line up in 20022/23, but last season didn't turn out as he had hoped and a spot as a regular starter did not happen with just 4 starts out of his 20 appearances.

In November 2022 his value had reached around £27 million, but now it has dropped to around £20 million and it seems that he is on Saints radar.

He is still only 19, he won't turn 20 until November but he has already notched 16 Bundesliga goals in 76 appearances and when you add Champions League appearances and German cup etc he has reached the 100 mark, not to mention a couple of full caps for Germany.

So it seems that this is the type of player that Russell Martin would look for and he is suddenly available, this could either be a loan transfer or indeed a permanent move, the report states that Saints are the only Premier League club, but there is also interest from Europe with Real Betis, Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Rennes all linked.

If Moukoko was to arrive it would offer the manager a change of tactic up front, Ben Brereton Diaz and indeed Adam Armstrong can both play as central strikers, but they can also play as wide players and both have the work rate to both attack and track back, slotting Moukoko in between these two would give Saints real firepower, let alone the options offered by more traditional wingers such as Sam Edozie or even Ryan Fraser if he does arrive.

But his arrival would also perhaps spell the end for Ross Stewart before he had really got going in his Southampton career.

This would be an

Photo: Action Images

Bowlercow added 09:55 - Jul 31 RM appears to want 60 minute players backed up by good 30 minute players If we keep them all we have 5 full backs 5 centre backs 5 forwards and 4 holding mf players so expect mass subs at 60 minutes
0

dirk_doone added 10:51 - Jul 31 Buying all these outfield players will just be fiddling while Rome burns if we don't get a goalkeeper.
1

Colburn added 11:41 - Jul 31 I’m not sure this would spell the end for Stewart, but I can see Mara going out on loan or permanently. Armstrong, Stewart, Diaz and the Dortmund lad will have variety and as you say, two of them are comfortable out wide. If Dibling and Amo are ready, then we’ll save on one transfer so can go all out for the top targets. I’m sure we have a goalie in mind…
3

JoeEgg added 13:01 - Jul 31 Having so many players to bed in is not the most likely policy to prove successful in the Premier League. I guess its just acknowledging the fact that many players from last year - dare I say Armstrong included - are simply not good enough to be successful at this level. I would rather have seen the money spent on the likes of a Matt O'Riley, while the priority now HAS to be an experienced Premier League goalkeeper. If we dont improve markedly on our goalkeeping resources then all the other frantic transfer activity will be inconsequential and we will quickly be in big trouble!

0

SaintPaulVW added 13:23 - Jul 31 Being in the PL is worth so much money that spending £100 million on players almost seems the only course if action if you want to try to reach critical mass and break out of the yo-yo model that some clubs seem to have accepted. I agree a first choice keeper at least on loan for a season seems a necessity. However not seeing too much indication that this is even on the cards. Must be some sales coming up to balance the books?

0

kevleykeegle added 03:51 - Aug 1 Agree with the comments on our gk. McCarthy passed the ball to Oxford players 5 times in a row. He’ll cost us so many points.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Portsmouth Polls