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Southampton: Sam Gallagher interesting Sheffield United

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Sam Gallagher of Southampton celebrates after scoring his teams' fourth goal despite the efforts of Steven Whittaker of Norwich during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Norwich City at St Mary's Stadium on March 15, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Sam Gallagher of Southampton celebrates after scoring his teams' fourth goal despite the efforts of Steven Whittaker of Norwich during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Norwich City at St Mary's Stadium on March 15, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Southampton striker Sam Gallagher is said to be attracting interest from Championship club Sheffield United this summer.

According to the Sheffield Star, Blades boss Chris Wilder wanted to sign the youngster on loan in January but transfer funds stopped him from contacting Southampton about his availability.

The 22-year-old progressed through the older age groups at the Saints’ famous academy after arriving from Plymouth Argyle and eventually claimed a place in the first-team squad.

However, opportunities for him since the 2013/14 season have been few and far between at St Mary’s and he has enjoyed loan spells in the English second-tier with a few clubs.

Last campaign saw him take the offer of a season-long loan to Birmingham City, and it was a fairly fruitful spell for him with 34 appearances and seven goals in all competitions.

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BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 20: A dejected looking Sam Gallagher of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Birmingham City at Griffin Park on February 20, 2018 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 20: A dejected looking Sam Gallagher of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Birmingham City at Griffin Park on February 20, 2018 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

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By far his most impressive season came in 2016/17 though whilst at Blackburn Rovers. There he made 47 appearances and became one of their first-choice attackers with 12 goals and four assists throughout the year.

Gallagher made his Saints debut under Mauricio Pochettino and benefited from the Argentine’s belief in the club’s youth players. His first goal for the club came in an FA Cup tie with Yeovil Town and he became a fairly useful impact sub despite his tender years.

New manager Mark Hughes may want to get a look at Gallagher in pre-season to see if he could fill a role in his 2018/19 squad, but the club are likely to add attacking players during the window too.

As a young and hungry player – one of many still at Saints – the ethos of the club would suggest that they would like him Harrison Reed, Sam McQueen and others involved, but lack of first-team opportunities will perhaps force them towards further loans or permanent moves.

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