Southampton to battle Newcastle and West Brom for Napoli’s Allan
By Chris Hughes
Southampton could yet be in the market for a midfielder this summer, with the Brazilian Allan linked with a move to the south coast.
According to one report, Southampton could be set to battle two other Premier League teams in order to sign the £10-million rated midfielder Allan.
Both Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion are also reportedly keeping tabs on the five-foot-eight man, who is naturally deployed in a more defensive role in the middle of the park.
The 26-year-old has spent his last five years playing in Italy, firstly for Udinese but most recently with giants Napoli, where he has become a mainstay in their midfield.
Having already loaned out Harrison Reed and with Jordy Clasie potentially on the move it’d be wise to suggest that the Saints may need another midfielder this window, with only Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Steven Davis and Oriol Romeu able to play in a deeper-midfield role.
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In today’s market a £10-million investment in a seasoned midfielder is great value, meaning it may be wise for the Saints to show their intent by bidding for the former Brazil Under-20 international.
So far Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have only strengthened with the addition of Jan Bednarek over three weeks ago, despite selling Jay Rodriguez to West Brom.
The club have shown their ambition with a host of contract extensions to both experienced and young players, but their lack of transfer action is getting a tad worrying with other clubs already making moves.
Signing Allan could prove a catalyst in a wave of transfers into the south coast outfit, and it would be an excellent place to start.