BREAKING: Southampton loan Sam Gallagher to Birmingham City
By Chris Hughes
Southampton have today announced that young forward Sam Gallagher has been loan to Birmingham for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.
21-year-old Sam Gallagher will spend the rest of the campaign in the Championship, joining up with infamous former Southampton manager Harry Redknapp.
The striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation since he returned from a loan spell with Blackburn Rovers. Originally the youngster was linked with £7 million moves to the likes of Aston Villa, before penning a fresh contract at the start of July.
His new deal gave Southampton supporters reason to believe that he may of had a role among the first team this coming season, something which was exacerbated when he was given a new squad number ahead of the Premier League’s return.
Around a dozen Championship clubs have reportedly been interested in Gallagher over the past months, after a return of 12 goals last term for a sub-par Blackburn Rovers.
Having already sold Jay Rodriguez to West Brom earlier this transfer window, the Saints now only have three out-and-out strikers on their books. It would therefore make sense that the club would look to sign a new forward before the transfer deadline passes.
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"“Sam is a player who gained invaluable experience at Championship level with Blackburn Rovers last season.“Sam and the club feel that regular game at Birmingham City, who have strong ambitions to be towards the top end of the Championship, will help him improve even further and we look forward to monitoring his progression.” – Les Reed"
Gallagher could still have a Southampton future despite being loaned out once again, with three years remaining on his deal once he returns next summer. His height and ability to head the ball could prove a great addition to an otherwise less-physical attacking line.
Another successful season in the Championship could do the 21-year-old a world of good, in a bid to improve his composure and maturity as a footballer.