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Southampton: Saints agree £16m fee for number one transfer target

By Marc Walker

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Che Adams of Birmingham City reacts after claiming to have scored, only for no goal to be given during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Birmingham City at Ashton Gate on February 26, 2019 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Che Adams of Birmingham City reacts after claiming to have scored, only for no goal to be given during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Birmingham City at Ashton Gate on February 26, 2019 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have reportedly agreed a £16m deal for their number one summer transfer target in Che Adams.

Multiple sources confirmed the news yesterday – including the Daily Mail, Daily Echo, Telegraph and Sky Sports – and it looks likely that the 22-year-old will be playing in red and white stripes this season.

The issue that Saints had in coming to an agreement with Birmingham City was the fee after they had originally offered the Blues around £14m for their star man.

However, that looks to have been resolved now with Saints reportedly close to selling Matt Targett to Aston Villa for a similar amount.

Saints are keen to add significant firepower to their squad ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and Adams became the man to potentially do that after netting 22 times in the Championship last season.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Che Adams of Birmingham City celebrates after he scores a penalty during the Sky Bet Championship between Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest at St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium on February 02, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Che Adams of Birmingham City celebrates after he scores a penalty during the Sky Bet Championship between Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest at St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium on February 02, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /

After a period of quiet at St Mary’s, it now appears that their summer transfer work will now truly get underway.

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Adams will join winger Moussa Djenepo at the club and a combined total of around £30m has been spent to bring both in. Other reports also state that a wing-back and centre-back could also be joining by the end of the window.

Despite the need for a squad revamp, some of the money will need to come from sales.

Targett is likely to join Villa, whilst other players such as Charlie Austin may well be leaving in the near future.

Whilst a number of players may find chances to play in 2019/20 slim, it is unlikely that deals will be found for all of them to leave.

Pre-season will therefore be vital for Ralph Hasenhuttl and his players. The Austrian will want to implement his style fully before the season gets underway, and those players who cannot get moves will want to be impressing to work their way back into plans.

It will be important for a more comfortable season overall following two previous finishes of 17th and 16th in the Premier League.

Next. Five wingers linked to Saints this summer. dark

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