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Rumours of two Southampton swap deals denied by multiple reports

By Marc Walker

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Adam Armstrong of Blackburn Rovers during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Watford at Ewood Park on February 24, 2021 in Blackburn, 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 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Adam Armstrong of Blackburn Rovers during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Watford at Ewood Park on February 24, 2021 in Blackburn, 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 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Southampton do not look set to be entertaining swap deals any time soon after multiple rumours suggesting that they could.

A report from the Sun suggested that striker Michael Obafemi could be used in a deal with Blackburn Rovers to bring Adam Armstrong to St Mary’s, but that has been denied by Hampshire Live.

A potential deal involving Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden switching places with Mario Lemina was also reported on by the Daily Mail recently, but that was denied by the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder yesterday.

Although Saints will be wanting to complete much more transfer activity this summer, swap deals are certainly not ideal when the club may not be getting the best deal in each situation. Straight transfers are surely more realistic.

Michael Obafemi (R) (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Michael Obafemi (R) (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /

Southampton looking for resolutions to their squad setup

Mario Lemina is likely to leave Saints this summer and has already been linked with Watford, OGC Nice and Newcastle. There appears to be no first-choice place in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans for him and the club should move him on if a suitable offer comes in for him.

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The Gabon international has not played for Saints since May 2019 and looks set to force his current employers into making a sizeable loss on the original £15m they paid for him.

He has been back training with Saints in pre-season along with Michael Obafemi and other teammates.

Obafemi looked set for a loan move last season and was said to be close to joining Swansea City before a bad injury forced him to have surgery.

He will be looking to make an impression on Ralph Hasenhuttl as Saints prepare for the start of the upcoming campaign, although a loan move could help his career hugely in the long-term if he chooses that option.

Saints will almost certainly be looking for a new striker this summer and have already reportedly made an offer for Adam Armstrong, but Obafemi will be hoping to be competing with any new forwards that are purchased.

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