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BREAKING: Southampton sign Monaco striker Guido Carrillo

By Chris Hughes

BERN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 28: Guido Carrillo of AS Monaco (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round 1st leg match between BSC Young Boys and AS Monaco at Stade de Suisse on July 28, 2015 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images)
BERN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 28: Guido Carrillo of AS Monaco (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round 1st leg match between BSC Young Boys and AS Monaco at Stade de Suisse on July 28, 2015 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have confirmed that the Argentine forward has joined the club, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal.

After what has seemed like an age, the Saints have finally announced their first January signing, with AS Monaco striker Guido Carrillo putting pen to paper with the club.

The deal for the 26-year-old seemed dead in the water last week, as Monaco appeared to turn down an offer for the striker. If reports are to believed, Southampton upped their offer from 18 millions euros to 20, making Carrillo the side’s record signing.

The deal therefore surpasses the Saints’ £18.1 million record signing of Mario Lemina last year, with Carrillo believed to be costing in the region of £19.2 million.

The signing is a statement of intent from the board, addressing the gaping attacking void in the squad after not signing any forwards over the summer. With Carrillo standing at six-foot-two, he’s been dubbed by many Southampton supporters as the ‘long-awaited replacement for Graziano Pelle’.

Related Story: Southampton 1-1 Tottenham: Match recap

MONACO – SEPTEMBER 27: Kevin Kampl (R) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen competes with Guido Carrillo of AS Monaco FC during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between AS Monaco FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Louis II Stadium on September 27, 2016 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
MONACO – SEPTEMBER 27: Kevin Kampl (R) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen competes with Guido Carrillo of AS Monaco FC during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between AS Monaco FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Louis II Stadium on September 27, 2016 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /

It should be noted however that despite his height, Carrillo isn’t your out-and-out targetman – more of a poacher similar to Charlie Austin.

The 26-year-old has a more than respectable aerial ability but isn’t as strong as some supporters may believe – but that doesn’t make him a bad signing for the club.

Despite the heavy price tag, Carrillo boasts an impressive minutes-to-goals ratio in Ligue 1, having had to play second fiddle to the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Radamel Falcao since joining in 2015.

What’s more, the Argentine enjoyed his most lucrative goal-scoring campaign whilst under Mauricio Pellegrino’s management – that was at Estudiantes back in 2013/14. He finished the season with 13 league goals in 37 games.

Therefore, Southampton fans will be hoping that he not only fits Pellegrino’s style but also beds in well – a similar impact to Manolo Gabbiadini’s last season would provide a huge boost to both club and fanbase.

Nonetheless, several supporters will still have their reservations on the signing until they see him play, which he could do when the Saints face Watford in the FA Cup this weekend.

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