By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Striker Said To Be Close To Southampton Transfer Thursday, 19th Jan 2023 10:04
Saints are said to be on the verge of signing a striker according to media reports in Spain on the 21-year-old central striker, which state that he is ‘close to Southampton’. But should Saints be gambling on another young relatively unproven striker given the position they are in.
Villarreal's Nicola Jackson is a name that has cropped up in the last week or so in connection with Southampton FC , perhaps as his agent tries to drum up interest in the Senegalese striker.
Various reports in Spain say that initially Saints were interested on taking on loan till the end of the season, but Villarreal wanted a higher loan fee than Saints were willing to pay and also wanted a guaranteed buy clause at the end of the loan spell.
It is now being reported that Saints have changed tack and are now looking at purchasing him on a permanent basis.
Jackson joined Villarreal in 2019 and worked his way through their academy sides after a loan spell away from the club he started to break into the squad in 2021/22.
This season has seen him start to fulfil his potential and he has been a vital members of the Spanish club's squad, although he is used more as an impact player than a starter, he also played for Senegal in the recent World Cup.
That has seen his price go up considerably and if Saints are to buy him then they are probably going to have to pay something like £12-13 million for his services although the media reports say that any bidder might have to go higher than that with as high as £18 million quoted.
It is being said in Spain that Villarreal are now ‘close to certifying’ Jackson’s transfer to the Premier League side.
Also Jackson's representatives are saying similar things about their client being close to a transfer.
But given that Saints already have three strikers on the books with neither of them being particularly prolific so far, is buying a youngster the right thing to do for Saints, a side that lack a true proven goal scorer.
They gambled on Sekou Mara in the summer and although he has shown potential, that has yet to turn into goals, Mara although a year younger than Jackson arrived with more experience and more goals on his CV than Jackson currently have.
Whilst Jackson is a highly rated talent in Spain, the truth is he is not what Saints need at this present time, we need an experienced proven goal scorer at this level, someone who in the second half of the season get us 6-7 goals and has the track record that he can.
So if this was the summer I might get excited about Nicolas Jackson, but at the moment in our current position, I would rather see us spend money on experience and a proven scoring record.
Photo: Action Images
Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
Without stating the obvious, we need a goalscorer now. Someone who can put the ball into the net - not know the theory on how to do it, or be able to do it in a year or two, we need it now. Otherwise sleepwalking into relegation.
So it’s a no from me. Overpriced and over rated on current form.
I think the current owners know what's needed. Jackson would fit the template of young promising players with plenty of potential - like Lavia and Alcaraz. But they've also gone for proven quality with Orsic and I'd like to think there's another proven goalscorer coming in before the end of January - we'll see. I'd be happy to see Danny Ings back as well, he'd be a good mentor for some of the younger ones
Agreed he may not be what we really need but he does have potential. It’s a question of whether he’s a Mane or a Djnepo. I don’t think we would be willing to shell out 12 million + on Ings even if he was prepared to come. Orsic was considerably cheaper. I am still hopeful a proven central striker will be brought in but I think we may have to wait until the last moment.
As stated yesterday he is a player that fits the SR mould, in that he can play in several positions. I think he will be an excellent addition & the more players we have, that have a goal in them the better. If we put all of our eggs into one basket, say Ings, what happens when he is injured again?
All very well having loads of young promising players but you really need to stay in the Premier League for them to keep their value and also to be able to hang onto them.
Need an experienced striker now. Potential can wait.
I'm obviuosy missing somthing, Jackson is NOT a striker. Why are people calling him a striker? He plays from deep and runs with the ball, he is direct, he is an atacking midfielder NOT a striker so I dont understand why "The Ugly Inside" headlines with "Striker said to be close...??
Its hardly a revelation that Saints need an experienced proven goalscorer. However they are very difficult to come by because everyone wants them. There seems to be an odd assumption that something dont want this, rather than they cant get it
He's primarily an a attacking mid, I'm wandering if Rasmus is trying to emulate Brighton where their success is built around a style of play that doesn't require your "traditional" goalscorer.
He looks a big unit so if he's a midfielder he still should be an asset if he's good enough. We've got to get these signings right though? More mediocrity will just 'muddy the selection waters' for Jones and we could be worse off?
For anyone who wants Ings back, too late he's already gone to West Ham Utd and he now have a medical in London hoping to get ready to play for his new club against Everton on Sunday.
@winchestersaint if you look up before lunchtime today it was commented already that ings signed for West game. Silly boy though as I see the manager getting the sack after the weekend and then he will be back in the same position he was at Villa LOL
