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Southampton: Saints linked with move for Leeds’ Kemar Roofe

By Chris Hughes

OXFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Kemar Roofe (L) of Oxford United is congratulated by Liam Sercombe of Oxford United after scoring hois team's third goal during The Emirates FA Cup third round match between Oxford United and Swansea City at the Kassam Stadium on January 10, 2016 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
OXFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Kemar Roofe (L) of Oxford United is congratulated by Liam Sercombe of Oxford United after scoring hois team's third goal during The Emirates FA Cup third round match between Oxford United and Swansea City at the Kassam Stadium on January 10, 2016 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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In reports which emerged earlier today, Southampton have been listed as one of three teams interested in Leeds’ Kemar Roofe.

According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, the Saints are set to rival fellow Premier League sides Burnley and Brighton for the signature of the 25-year-old.

The midfielder-turned-forward has enjoyed a really solid start to the season in the Championship campaign, scoring four whilst setting up a further two. As a result, he was named as the league’s Player of the Month for August.

Just a couple of days ago it was rumoured that the Yorkshire side were keen to open contract talks with the Englishman, but they may struggle to keep him at the club with teams from the top tier apparently interested in his services.

However the legitimacy of any rumours remain to be seen, as Roofe doesn’t particularly seem the type of striker that the Saints would be interested in based on their current line-up.

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LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Kemar Roofe of Leeds United celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Sky Bet Championship between Leeds United and Rotherham United at Elland Road on August 18, 2018 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Kemar Roofe of Leeds United celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Sky Bet Championship between Leeds United and Rotherham United at Elland Road on August 18, 2018 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) /

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If Southampton were to shop around for a new forward, then it would likely be for a more physical presence as that’s what they currently lack, whereas Roofe – naturally a winger – is more a quicker forward who acts as a poacher for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Furthermore despite his start to the season, Roofe hasn’t been prolific his whole career and he’s perhaps comparable to Cardiff’s summer signing Bobby Reid – the latter is of course yet to score in the Premier League from six appearances.

The Saints remain a shrewd operator in the transfer market but as shown with the more high-profile signing of Danny Ings – sometimes a more obvious transfer option is more reliable. The English forward has thrived under Mark Hughes’ management with four goals all season and if the Saints are looking for a new partner for him then perhaps a more recognizable face would be wise.

From just under 180 career games Roofe has just 53 goals to his name and in his first full season in the Championship he scored just three goals in 42 games – granted this was as a winger but even so that’s a relatively poor tally. Assuming other options are available, it may be smart for the Saints to pass on this one.

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