As has been speculated upon for the last few days, Saints have now announced the signing of Basel's Mohamed Elyounoussi, great news for Saints fans.
The revamp of Saints squad is now well under way and those cynics who had been suggesting that Saints would be selling players and not replacing them or buying cheaply have already had those opinions dashed with the arrival of Mohamed Elyounoussi.
The Morroccan born Norwegian International is able to play across a variety of attacking positions either through the centre or on either flank and offer Saints a lot of versatility in that although he could be said to be a direct replacement for Dusan Tadic, albeit a younger and more expensive one, that would be a little inaccurate as he could also be played as a central striker, giving Mark Hughes options that he did not have last season.
Saints have made a couple of good signings so far and now need to perhaps make two more assuming that no players that they really want to keep depart, the midfield looks good with good options out wide alongside with a strong centre if Hughes can get Lemina, Romeu, Hojbjerg and Ward Prowse playing to their abilities, something that Pellegrino rarely got them to do.
Whilst there is perhaps still the need for a striker if one of the current front options departs, the only real area that needs strengthening now is the centre of defence, which according to reports could be about to happen.
Saints announced the signing of Elyounoussi just after midday with the following statement.
Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of exciting young forward Mohamed Elyounoussi from FC Basel.
The versatile attacking player today completed his move from the Swiss Super League side, agreeing a five-year deal at St Mary’s.
Elyounoussi, 23, arrives off the back of two outstanding seasons with Basel, scoring 23 times in 83 appearances and assisting a further 30 times, helping the club to a domestic league and cup double in 2016/17.
Before that, the Moroccan-born Norwegian international enjoyed a fantastic spell with Molde, in Norway, netting 41 goals in 91 appearances for the club.
Elyounoussi, who already has 16 caps and four goals for his country, brings with him experience of both the Champions League and Europa League, having featured in close to 30 games across both competitions, and demonstrating an ability to play in a variety of different attacking roles.
"I'M AT MY BEST WHEN I CAN USE MY CREATIVITY, SO I THINK THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CLUB WILL SUIT ME VERY WELL."
MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI
NEW SOUTHAMPTON SIGNING.
Southampton manager Mark Hughes said: "Mohamed is clearly another very exciting addition to our attacking options.
"He has got an outstanding record of goals and assists in two different countries, and we have been extremely impressed by the intelligence he has shown in his play from a tactical point of view.
"He’s still at a young age as well, so we’re confident he can continue to improve and fulfil even more of his potential with us, and, following on from the arrival of Stuart Armstrong this week, we feel we have made real progress in adding a new dimension to our attack ahead of the season.”
Commenting on the move, Mohamed Elyounoussi said: "I’m really happy to be here and I am really excited to get started.
"The club has been following me for a long time, watching many games, so I feel really confident to come here and to get even better and develop myself.
"It’s a family club that is known for bringing in players, developing them and for younger players to get better.
"I’m a hard worker on the pitch and I like to create chances, either for me or to play others through. That’s where I’m at my best, when I can use my creativity, so I think the philosophy of the club will suit me very well.”