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Southampton: What other business could the Saints do this summer?

By Chris Hughes

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Fraser Forster of Southampton makes a save during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Fraser Forster of Southampton makes a save during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA – June 27: Filip Kostic of Serbia in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – June 27: Filip Kostic of Serbia in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

An impact winger?

Southampton added some fresh creativity this summer with the arrival of Norwegian Mohamed Elyounoussi, but with Boufal having left, the club still only have three natural wingers (Redmond + Sims).

Granted, the signing of Stuart Armstrong offers the club the ability to play 3-5-2 with him behind two forwards, but it seems like 3-4-2-1 will be Mark Hughes’ preferred set-up this campaign.

As a result, more pace and depth should be on the Saints’ shopping list, as despite Armstrong and JWP’s ability they simply aren’t quick enough for that inside forward role without pace on the other side.

Filip Kostic was loosely linked with the club a week or so ago and with Hamburg keen to sell following financial difficulties, he could available for a cut-price deal around £8-10 million.

Another option if the club are looking to get the winger for cheaper than Elyounoussi would be Miguel Almiron, with some media reports suggesting the Atlanta winger is available for a little as £10 million.

However the Saints could easily splash the cash on this new winger, at which point someone like Alireza Jahanbakhsh remains a solid option, although he’s currently being linked with both Leicester and Brighton. Whatever happens, with Elyounoussi more naturally left-sided, it would make sense for Southampton’s new winger to be more naturally right-sided. That way he can rotate with Nathan Redmond dependent on how consistent the Englishman is.