17-goal Premier League striker could join Southampton in January

Currently there are a lot of uncertainties looming around Southampton from a possible managerial change to a relegation battle towards the second half of the season. Russell Martin’s side are still nineteenth in the league and now quickly need to make a turnaround in the Premier League in order to stay away from the relegation zone.

However, they face two huge issues which are their defensive tactics and their inconsistent goalscoring. While the former can be resolved with avoiding ocassional defensive mistakes, Russell Martin’s side need to constantly find the back of the net multiple times throughout the match. Thus, the Saints need their front three to find their level best prolific form which hasn't happened so far.

17-goal Premier League striker could join Southampton in January

Tyler Dibling has showcased his huge potential in the previous five matches but now needs to step up his finishing efforts while advancing near the box. Cameron Archer is the most promising striker Southampton currently have, and the Saints can take advantage of the 22-year-old’s versatility by bringing in a proven Premier League goalscorer.

Moreover, Southampton could sign a top-quality centre forward in January itself, as Leeds United's Patrick Bamford is open to a transfer move. Bamford made a name for himself in the Premier League as he scored 17 goals in the 2020/21 season in the English top flight. The 31-year-old was the fifth top-goalscorer in the Premier League that season, and several teams such as Everton and Newcastle United were keen to sign him as well.

Although Bamford stayed at Leeds United, he scored 6 Premier League goals for the Championship side over the next two seasons before their relegation in 2023. A big reason for his inconsistency in the recent seasons has been his frequent injuries, still Bamford can again score around fifteen goals every season if he manages to stay injury-free throughout the season.

Compared to current Southampton forwards Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz, Bamford makes a lot of good runs inside the box and his positioning and heading ability are one of his biggest strengths as a striker. Moreover, Bamford thrived in the 2020/21 season as Leeds United relied on giving more passes and long through-balls near the edge of the box.

Dibling and Archer are brilliant playmakers, and thus, can provide Bamford with a lot of great chances to score a lot of league goals. Moreover, Leeds United are rumoured to be open to sending Bamford on a six-month loan move in January, and it remains to be seen whether Southampton bring the proven Premier League goalscorer to their squad.