Southampton: Sam McQueen reportedly set for Bristol City move
By Chris Hughes
It’s now believed that Southampton’s Sam McQueen is ‘ready’ to move to the side who finished 11th in the Championship this past season.
The deal comes as a result of Burnley’s pursuit of Joe Bryan, with the Clarets looking to add the left-back to their ranks in a reported £6 million deal.
As a result City will be looking to replace the 24-year-old with a new full-back, with the Championship side having been linked with McQueen for the best part of the last fortnight.
According to the Mirror, the Southampton man is apparently ‘ready’ to join Lee Johnson’s side, in a deal which would presumably make him the team’s first-choice left-back.
The report doesn’t state whether the deal is temporary or permanent however, and if it’s the latter no transfer fee has been discussed by the media.
Next: Targett and Fulham gain promotion to the PL
McQueen began life with the Saints as a wide-midfielder however under Claude Puel made the switch to full-back, when the Frenchman was without both Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett through injury.
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The 23-year-old has however struggled for game time, meaning it’s understandable why the Englishman may be keen to step down a league in order to play regularly.
However Southampton may not be so keen in letting the full-back leave, as both of their other two aforementioned left-backs could also be heading for the exit door.
Bertrand has been consistently linked with some of the league’s biggest teams for the past two or three seasons, and this past campaign he has looked disinterested despite being wearing the captains armband on several occasions.
Furthermore, Bertrand missed out on England’s World Cup squad this summer, something which may throw his loyalty into perspective and make him want to move on even more.
In addition, Matt Targett has thrived since moving to Fulham on loan in January and with the Cottagers gaining promotion to the top flight, Targett may just been keen to stay in the capital on a permanent basis.
As a result, Southampton may already be without two of their current left-backs come the start of next season, and would prefer not to sell a third. Only time will tell, however.