Southampton: Saints show interest in signing Genk goal machine
By Marc Walker
Southampton are reportedly the latest club to show an interest in Genk goal machine Mbwana Samatta.
According to the Daily Express (10th November 2019, Sports page 5), Saints are looking at the Tanzania international after his showings in domestic and European football this season.
The report states that the 26-year-old is valued at £10m and that Saints scouts watched him score against Liverpool in the Champions League recently.
Samatta’s record is impressive even if he is playing in a league that is considered much weaker than the Premier League.
He has 74 goals and 19 assists in 182 games for Genk and a further 18 in 51 caps for Tanzania.
In the summer, Saints signed Moussa Djenepo from Belgian club Standard Liege and he can be considered a success so far.
It normally takes all signings some time to adjust to the levels of performance that English football demands but Samatta has already tested himself against some of the best in the Champions League.
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With striking options limited for Ralph Hasenhuttl at the moment, the club will surely be in the market looking for another player to add in this position.
The signing of Che Adams from Birmingham City hasn’t paid off yet and Shane Long’s contract runs out in the summer, so looking for more additions would make sense.
However, defensive additions must be the priority for Saints given their problems at the back this campaign.
They have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season and are in need of more options at centre-back and full-back.
The need for a leader in the centre of defence is also clear given that recent games have looked lost as soon as Saints go behind – and no players seem to be stepping up to try and get their teammates to react.
It is likely that Saints will be forced into the transfer market this coming January, but it is unknown how much money they will have to spend.
The January window often sees extortionate sums thrown about as buying clubs panic and selling clubs are determined to hold onto the squad they have.