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Southampton to send scouts to Under-21 European Championships

By Chris Hughes

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Osman Kakay of QPR is chased down by Joel Asoro of Sunderland during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland at Loftus Road on September 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Osman Kakay of QPR is chased down by Joel Asoro of Sunderland during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland at Loftus Road on September 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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The Saints will be among the clubs sending their scouts to the Championship, to keep an eye on Europe’s top young talent.

Southampton’s summer recruiting process has been mostly smoke without fire since season’s end last month, but some hard evidence has arisen to suggest that they could be following a host of young players over the coming weeks.

Four of the side’s most senior scouts will be in attendance for the Under-21 European Championships which start later this week, but they won’t necessarily be watching the quartet of Saints’ stars that are set to feature.

Instead they are reportedly scouting 21-year-old Jan Bednarek of Poland’s U-21 side – the defender plays in his home nation for Lech Poznan and this season broke into the first team, making 34 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland (L) and Joel Asoro of Sunderland (R) are dejected after Burnley score their second goal during the Emirates FA Cup third round replay between Burnley and Sunderland at Turf Moor on January 17, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Jermain Defoe of Sunderland (L) and Joel Asoro of Sunderland (R) are dejected after Burnley score their second goal during the Emirates FA Cup third round replay between Burnley and Sunderland at Turf Moor on January 17, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Meanwhile the scouts will reportedly have their eye on Sunderland youngster Joel Asoro, who plies his trade for Sweden’s under-21 team. The 18-year-old only recently stepped up from the under-17 team, where he scored 14 times in just 21 games.

Having been relegated after a poor season the Black Cats have already lost star striker Jermain Defoe, and Osoro could be the next man out the exit door. He’s also being watched by some of Europe’s top sides, meaning the Saints would be rivaled in any approach for the teenager.

Representing Southampton at the tournament this summer in Poland are Nathan Redmond, James Ward-Prowse, Matt Targett and May’s Player of the Month Jack Stephens.

England’s opener is against none other than Sweden’s under-21 side meaning Osoro could play against his future teammates first hand, with kick-off being 5 PM this Friday.

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