Russell Martin's Rangers emerge as a solid candidate to sign Southampton target Xavier Mbuyamba with the Saints limited to praying against the move.
Recently, Southampton were rumoured with Xavier Mbuyamba and safe to say, all fans would have loved the update. And rightly so, given the 23-year-old's resume holds in it a first-team call-up from boss Thomas Tuchel, something for which even Saints starter Harwood-Bellis is pushing for.
Needless, to say, St. Mary's would want Mbuyamba to end up as a Saint, knowing of their vulnerable defensive issues from the friendly last week. But while the Saints' ambitions speak loud, the club needs to win this transfer against a number of serious competitors.
Well, as if the contest against Watford wasn't difficult enough, a former Saint has joined the transfer stage to complicate things for Southampton.
As many would guess, it's respectable ex-Saints boss Russell Martin at it again. Having chased his former club in many transfer races, the boss hopes to go all the way this time.
Recently, Fabrizio Romano updated about Rangers' interest in Mbuyamba, saying: "Volendam defender Xavier Mbuyamba, on the radar of Rangers and Gent."
Saints would hope for Russell Martin not to sign Mbuyamba
Naturally, this Russell Martin transfer plan would displease a majority of Saints fans out there. Yet, what might comfort them is recalling the case of Will Still's former club's interest in Max Johnston.
In case you remember, weeks ago, Lens had come quite close to overtaking Southampton on their defensive target Johnston. Now, neither of the two ended up signing him but the Saints must draw parallels with this Russell Martin interest to lighten themselves.
That's because, the harsh truth is that other than this, the Saints are left with no options at all. With Rangers competing in Europe, Southampton feel bound to lose on Mbuyamba's ambitious signing as the player looks forward to a massive transfer jump this summer.
In all, this Mbuyamba update has Southampton put on "look on Russell Martin" mode. The Saints would want the boss to do them one last favour by going past the defender's transfer race. Let's hope that it happens.