Southampton: Saints linked with Richmond Boakye and Rafael Toloi
By Chris Hughes
Reports in the past 24 hours have linked Southampton with Ghanaian striker Richmond Boakye and Atalanta defender Rafael Toloi.
It’s been a while since we’ve the Saints involved in some solid transfer rumours with the summer window having been shut for six weeks – but in the past day or so Mark Hughes’ side have been linked with a move for another attacker and new centre-back.
The former is Red Star Belgrade forward Richmond Boakye, with the Sun linking the Saints with a move for the 25-year-old. The striker re-joined the Serbian side less than a month ago after a short stint with Chinese side Jiangsu Suning – Saints fans may remember he scored against them in the pre-season friendly against the side.
The fact that the Ghanaian only re-joined Red Star at the end of the August plays down the legitimacy of the rumours, with the source claiming that the Saints had a scout in attendance watching him this past weekend.
Furthermore, Boakye is a very similar striker to Danny ings in terms of being pacey with a desire to get in behind – signing a more physical striker would make more sense. However, his impressive record of 42 goals in just 51 games in Serbia does make him an appealing prospect.
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Meanwhile reports in Italy have linked the Saints with the 27-year-old Rafael Toloi – Southampton remain fragile at the back and could perhaps do with a defensive shake-up over the next year despite the arrival of Jannik Vestergaard.
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Hughes has stuck with Wesley Hoedt as his partner with the Dutchman still visibly struggling with the pace of the Premier League. Although Yoshida, Stephens and Bednarek are all suitable back-ups, the Saints could probably still do with another mature, experienced head at the back.
Wolves were strongly linked with the Brazilian-Italian over the summer, but a £15 million move never materialised. Good on the ball, dominant in the air and standing at a respectable six-foot-one, Toloi seems like a great partner on paper for Vestergaard.
However it should be noted that by playing for Atalanta, the centre-back would of course come from the same league that Hoedt did, and if supporters have concerns over the latter’s ability to adapt to the physicality and speed of the Premier League then signing another defending from the Serie A may not be a wise move.
However it’s positive to see Southampton linked with moves for more attackers and defenders, as both may be needed in January.