Southampton: Saints look set miss out on Demarai Gray signing

Southampton have been heavily linked with Leicester City winger Demarai Gray in this January transfer window but it appears they may miss out on signing him.

According to a report from German sports news outlet Sport1, Bayer Leverkusen are in negotiations with the Foxes over a move that could cost them as little as €2m.

Saints were first said to be looking to bring Gray in this month, and then additional reports claimed they were one of the frontrunners to secure the 24-year-old’s signature on a free transfer in the summer.

Now Leverkusen look to have sensed an opportunity at the right time and could strike a deal before the transfer deadline at the end of this month.

Will Saints rue missing out on Gray transfer?

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

An addition to Saints’ squad would have provided a welcome boost this month and, although they will be continuing to search for a realistic option, it looks like it will not be Gray arriving.

In the current setup, the former England youth international would be expected to take up one of the wide roles in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2 system and potentially provide cover as a striker.

Saints have Stuart Armstrong, Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Theo Walcott who have played on the flanks this season but injuries to Redmond and Djenepo have seen them unavailable for many games.

Perhaps more pressing issues remain in the full-back positions and central-midfield areas. A lack of cover for Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Bertrand is a concern – even if Yan Valery and Jake Vokins proved their worth in the cup – and Will Smallbone’s knee injury leaves just three options centrally for the rest of this season.

Covid-19 concerns and injury problems in 2020/21, coupled with financial strains and hectic schedules, have reduced the availability of players in this transfer window as clubs ensure they have a large enough squad to see out the campaign.