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Southampton: Saints in transfer battle for Netherlands international winger

By Marc Walker

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Arnaut Danjuma of AFC Bournemouth during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and AFC Bournemouth at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on February 20, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Arnaut Danjuma of AFC Bournemouth during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and AFC Bournemouth at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on February 20, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are set to fight West Ham for the signing of Bournemouth and Netherlands international winger Arnaut Danjuma.

This is according to a report from the Sun’s Tom Barclay, who adds that the 24-year-old’s form in the Championship has caught the eye of the two Premier League rivals.

Danjuma has 10 goals and five assists in 27 league and cup games this season and has proven himself to be a real attacking threat in the second-tier of English football.

He is largely unproven in the Premier League having made just six starts for Bournemouth in 2019/20, but this does not seem to have put off Saints and the Hammers.

Arnaut Danjuma of AFC Bournemouth (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Arnaut Danjuma of AFC Bournemouth (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

Do Southampton need to sign a Danjuma-type player?

Ralph Hasenhuttl will be looking to add some significant quality and depth to his squad as he prepares for next season, but he looks to have plenty of options when it comes to Danjuma’s positions on the pitch.

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The Dutchman can play as a striker or on either flank but there may be limited space in attack unless a sizeable summer shake-up arrives.

Danny Ings, Che Adams, Theo Walcott, Michael Obafemi, Nathan Redmond and Dan N’Lundulu are all options for the two striker positions in Hasenhuttl’s system. Moussa Djenepo and Stuart Armstrong are often first-choice when it comes to the attacking-midfield roles, whilst Walcott and Redmond can play there too.

Reported interest in Danjuma does sound like an agent trying to get a move for his player, but a look at potential summer moves for Saints may mean that they will be in the market for a forward or two.

Danny Ings’ future is still up in their air and it remains to be seen whether he will sign a new contract or move on to another club this coming off-season. Theo Walcott may sign permanently at St Mary’s on a free transfer from Everton, but there is no way that Danjuma can be considered a straight replacement for someone of Ings’ calibre.

It is also possible that Mohamed Elyounoussi will return to prove his worth after a successful time with Celtic to add even more competition for places.

Saints are likely to receive a good fee if they end up selling Ings and they will need to reinvest that in a goalscorer with similar qualities.

dark. Next. Which Saints loanees have a future back at the club?

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