Saints Marching
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Saints Marching roundtable: Dream deadline day signings

By Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Owner of Southampton Gao Jisheng and head of football development Les Reed during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Owner of Southampton Gao Jisheng and head of football development Les Reed during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 22: Moussa Marega of FC Porto celebrates scoring Porto goal in action during the match between FC Porto v Everton FC for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 22, 2018 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 22: Moussa Marega of FC Porto celebrates scoring Porto goal in action during the match between FC Porto v Everton FC for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 22, 2018 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /

Nikos Lemanis – Moussa Marega

Like most fans, I would like to see more goal scoring threat added to the team. It’s highly unlikely that Saints are going to sign both a striker and another winger this summer, so as an ideal deadline day signing I’d like to see Moussa Marega join the club.

The 27 year old Malian can play across the front line, and can play as a lone striker, in a forward pairing or out on the right wing. Porto manager Sergio Conceição expects his strikers to play with their backs to goal but also maintain a presence in the box, and Marega is used to working hard. He is used to being both a target man and an outlet for his teammates, and tracking back when needed – important traits for success in the Premier League, especially at a team like Saints.

What’s more, Marega scored 22 goals in 29 games last season. He may struggle to reach those heady heights in the Premier League, but he knows how to finish and his goals are varied in type.

Apart from need to add more goals, I have been enthused by Southampton’s activity this summer. Recruitment has been considered, targeted and efficiently carried out, and the players who have departed have done so for the benefit of both parties. Many have complained that we should be loaning out less and selling more, but the priority should be reducing the wage bill and keeping a close dressing room of players who want to play at the club.