Southampton: Saints linked with Anthony Limbombe and Jack Wilshere

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 03: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final second leg match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal FC at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on May 3, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 03: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final second leg match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal FC at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on May 3, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have today been linked with two players, 24 hours after losing out on James Maddison to Leicester City.

Thankfully for Saints supporters, transfer rumours are rolling in thick and fast after a few weeks of precious nothing, and hopefully before too long one of these gains some pace, just as the aforementioned Maddison deal did before Leicester pipped Mark Hughes’ side to his signature.

Today the Saints have been linked with Arsenal’s Jack WIlshere and Brugge’s Anthony Limbombe, two players who could both add something to Southampton’s side.

The former is obviously familiar to those who follow the Premier League, with the midfielder’s future unclear following the appointment of Unai Emery earlier this summer.

Limbombe will be lesser-known to Southampton fans – he is a 23-year-old Belgian winger who possesses great pace and power, having also scored six and assisted a further seven last season.

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BRUGGE, BELGIUM – OCTOBER 18: Miguel Layun of FC Porto controls the ball under pressure of Anthony Limbombe Ekango of Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Club Brugge KV and FC Porto at Jan Breydel Stadium on October 18, 2016 in Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
BRUGGE, BELGIUM – OCTOBER 18: Miguel Layun of FC Porto controls the ball under pressure of Anthony Limbombe Ekango of Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Club Brugge KV and FC Porto at Jan Breydel Stadium on October 18, 2016 in Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

However, if the Saints are keen on the duo, they will face stiff competition from teams in Europe and the Premier League – the report that links the Saints with Limbombe also states that Huddersfield have bid £13 million for the winger, whilst Marseille, Red Bull Leipzig and Schalke are also monitoring the youngster.

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However for what it’s worth, a deal for Limbombe seems like it may be good value for money – he seems like the kind of winger Southampton should be looking for. Furthermore, he naturally plays on the left-hand side, and for that price he’d almost be a perfect like-for-like replacement for the outgoing Sofiane Bofual.

Wilshere meanwhile would be a deal that would almost certainly divide the crowd. The Englishman had plenty of support for making the England squad this summer but failed to make the cut.

Previously signing the midfielder always seemed like a risk, but it appears that his injury-stricken days are behind him, having made 47 league appearances in the past two campaigns for Bournemouth and Arsenal collectively.

The 26-year-old would almost certainly command a high wage-packet, but is also potentially available for free, nullifying any real transfer fee.

However naturally most Premier League sides have been linked him in some respect since the season reached it’s conclusion, whilst the report this morning also suggested that Italian duo Sampdoria and AC Milan are keen on the Englishman.

With Mario Lemina also linked with a move back to Italy, a move for Wilshere may not be totally unrealistic, as there are comparisons to be made between the two players.