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Southampton: Saints join the race to sign Galatasaray marksman

By Joe Mcindoe

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: A detail picture of the Huddersfield town goalkeeper Joel Coleman kicking the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Huddersfield Town at St Mary's Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: A detail picture of the Huddersfield town goalkeeper Joel Coleman kicking the ball during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Huddersfield Town at St Mary's Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) /
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Southampton have been linked with a move for Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne.

Saints have already begun the process of refreshing the squad with the signings of, Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo, whilst formalizing the move of Danny Ings from Liverpool, but they may not be done just yet.

According to a report from Turkish website Asksam, Southampton are looking to swoop for the Senegalese international. The forward netted an impressive 30 league goals in 29 appearances last season.

The 27-year-old started the season with Kasimpasa before his prolific scoring rate in the first half of the campaign earned him an £11.7m transfer to Galatasaray in January.

According to the Turkish new source, SFC may face stiff competition from fellow Premier League competitors, Crystal Palace and Brighton.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MARCH 16: Galatasaray fans chant slogans at a training session for the Istanbul Derby match at Galatasaray Stadium on March 16, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Istanbul Derby also known as the Intercontinental Derby is one of footballs fiercest rivalries. Turkey’s football fans are some of the most passionate in the world. Fans are forced to travel and enter the stadium separately, with Galatasaray supporters taken to the game on a convoy of buses accompanied by a police escort arriving to a scene of hundreds of riot police standing guard to keep fans seperated. The derby was first played in 1909 and and has often been marred by acts of hooliganism and heavy violence. In 2013 the violence peaked with the stabbing of a 19-year-old Fenerbahce fan after the match. In recent years the efforts of police and fans alike have helped to keep the matches relatively violence free. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MARCH 16: Galatasaray fans chant slogans at a training session for the Istanbul Derby match at Galatasaray Stadium on March 16, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Istanbul Derby also known as the Intercontinental Derby is one of footballs fiercest rivalries. Turkey’s football fans are some of the most passionate in the world. Fans are forced to travel and enter the stadium separately, with Galatasaray supporters taken to the game on a convoy of buses accompanied by a police escort arriving to a scene of hundreds of riot police standing guard to keep fans seperated. The derby was first played in 1909 and and has often been marred by acts of hooliganism and heavy violence. In 2013 the violence peaked with the stabbing of a 19-year-old Fenerbahce fan after the match. In recent years the efforts of police and fans alike have helped to keep the matches relatively violence free. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /

Despite already making several acquisitions in the attacking department, the signature of the striker could be an important one.

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After a difficult last term, front man Charlie Austin is expected to leave the South coast in search of more game time with another Premier League outfit. Multiple reports have Austin linked with Premier League new boys Aston Villa.

While the Englishman’s frontline colleagues Shane Long and Ings are ready to partner latest addition Adams, the two men are known to suffer with inconsistent form or injury woes.

Diagne’s involvement would mean plenty of competition within the ranks as well as ensuring cover is always available as injuries occur and the goals dry up.

Sam Gallagher has also been heavily linked with a move away this summer and has reportedly attracted the interest of Championship sides Blackburn Rovers and Wigan.

The sale of Austin, Gallagher and indeed Mario Lemina – who has been mentioned as a target for Manchester United after being left out of future plans by Ralph Hasenhuttl – could fund further incoming moves for Saints before the beginning of the season in August.

Next. Three things we might notice from Hasenhuttl's 4-2-2-2 system. dark

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