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Southampton: Saints eyeing two attacking-midfield targets

By Marc Walker

LIEGE, BELGIUM - MARCH 23: Amadou Haidara of Mali during the International friendly match between Japan and Mali at the Stade de Sclessin on March 23, 2018 in Liege Belgium. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
LIEGE, BELGIUM - MARCH 23: Amadou Haidara of Mali during the International friendly match between Japan and Mali at the Stade de Sclessin on March 23, 2018 in Liege Belgium. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are set to move on from missing out on James Maddison by targeting two other attacking-midfield talents.

Both Amadou Haidara and Stuart Armstrong have been linked with a move to St Mary’s to fill the void in creativity from central areas of the pitch as the Southampton board look to strengthen Mark Hughes’ squad for 2018/19.

According to a report from Sky Sports News, Malian international Haidara could be targeted after a sparkling season for Red Bull Salzburg.

In 55 appearances across all competitions, the 20-year-old scored eight times and made 10 assists in what was his first full campaign in the club’s senior team.

It is reported that he will command a £15m fee to bring him from England, and this money could be well spent on a player that certainly looks to be a top prospect. He can play centrally or on either wing; proving his adaptability.

Next: World Cup win for Cedric and Portugal

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MARCH 27: Stuart Armstrong of Scotland during the International Friendly match between Hungary and Scotland at Groupama Arena on March 27, 2018 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MARCH 27: Stuart Armstrong of Scotland during the International Friendly match between Hungary and Scotland at Groupama Arena on March 27, 2018 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images) /

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On Armstrong, the Daily Record reported on June 11th that he was free to leave current club Celtic after indecisive contract negotiations saw him sign just a one-year extension last year.

It is believed that Brighton are the latest club to show an interest in the Scot, following Saints, Crystal Palace and West Brom in monitoring his situation.

The 26-year-old is more naturally a Central-Midfielder but has played as a number 10, defensively and on the left. He contributed five goals and six assists in all competitions in the past season.

Saints are no strangers to shopping at either Salzburg or Celtic if they do pursue deals for these two.

Sadio Mane arrived at St Mary’s for a £12m fee from the Austrian club in the summer of 2014, whilst Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama and Virgil Van-Dijk have come in from the Glasgow giants in recent years.

Saints were in a two-club battle with Leicester City to sign exciting English midfielder James Maddison from Norwich City earlier this week, but he joined the midlands club today for a reported £24m.

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