Southampton striker has two more clubs interested in his services

Southampton striker Michael Obafemi is attracting interest from Championship sides Fulham and Bournemouth in the final two weeks of the summer transfer window.

Reports from Football League World and Football Insider respectively suggest that both are eyeing a permanent transfer for the 21-year-old who has just one year remaining on his Saints deal.

Blackburn are another club said to be tracking Obafemi after their manager Tony Mowbray confirmed their interest in him. At one time, it was reported that Obafemi would be used as part of the deal that took Adam Armstrong to St Mary’s.

With Armstrong, Che Adams, Nathan Tella and Armando Broja now ahead of him in the pecking order, it is perhaps likely that a new opportunity will come Obafemi’s way between now and the 31st August.

Time for Southampton to let their man prove himself

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• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
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With just a year left on his contract, Obafemi may not be a Saints player beyond this season. It will certainly be a shame to see him go as Saints fans will have never seen the best of him.

Some bright bursts, including his late equalising goal at Old Trafford back in 2019/20 and a superb solo goal at Stamford Bridge, are top-flight highlights for a player who may become more at home in the second-tier – at least in the early stages of his promising career.

One thing that has held him back is the injury he sustained during last season. He was set to go out on loan to Swansea but that move was called off when he needed surgery for the issue.

He reappeared fully during the recent pre-season games and looked bright but now has significant options ahead of him, meaning it is best for him to look for football elsewhere.

One team’s loss will be another’s gain, but ultimately Saints have to take the decisions that prepare their first-team squad with as much strength as possible for the season ahead.