Southampton: Hasenhuttl outlines his ideal summer signings
By Marc Walker
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has outlines the type of players he wants to bring to the club in the summer transfer window.
Saints will surely be in for some significant changes to their squad if they secure their Premier League status for another season and the Austrian is likely to have a number of targets lined up.
Incomings as well as outgoings could be seen and Hasenhuttl has been speaking about the triats that his new men must have.
Speaking in his pre-match conference ahead of his side’s trip to Newcastle, he said:
"“It’s not about British or something else. I think the package I have always spoken about is they must fit perfectly to our club, which means not the seventh or eighth contract in this life, but the first, second or third maximum.”"
Next. Newcastle vs Saints: Opposition Threats. dark
There had been reports from the Daily Mail earlier this week that the club were going to be targeting mainly British players this summer but it appears that may not be the case entirely.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
With targeting players in their first, second or third senior contracts, the club could be making a move back to past recruitment structures.
When a host of talented players were signed by other clubs back in 2014, a superb strategy helped build a new team and take the club to seventh and sixth placed finishes.
Some players to be linked with moves to St Mary’s recently have been Rangers attacker Scott Arfield and Hoffenheim’s Vincenzo Grifo.
Something of use may be Hasenhuttl’s knowledge of German football and the Bundesliga as he eyes up his ideal targets.
His style involves great work-rate and pressing in attack, meaning only specific players will fit in to his thoughts next season.
A number of first-team players are currently out on-loan away from the club too and it will be up to Hasenhuttl to decide whether they can play a part in his future plans.
Sofiane Boufal, Guido Carrillo and Jordy Clasie are just a few on temporary deals in Europe, whilst Saints academy products Harrison Reed, Jake Hesketh and Sam McQueen are also due back at the club before next season.