Southampton could look to the free agent market to pick up another Cyle Larin gem

Southampton will surely be considering dipping their toes into the free agent market for a new striker purchase.

Cyle Larin would gingerly come off during the first half of the Saints' 0-0 stalemate with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, in a move that would have seriously worried the St. Mary's masses watching on.

Tonda Eckert, post-match, was quick to elaborate that Larin's knock wasn't anything serious, but the thought of Larin being out of the starting XI for the trip to West Ham United won't fill Southampton fans with a lot of optimism for what will already be a tricky trip, with or without the veteran Canadian starting.

Indeed, Larin has seven goals next to his name in Championship action this season as one of the division's most clinical poachers on his day.

Remove him from the equation, when studying the Saints' forward line, and you're left with Divin Mubama on just one goal, and Lewis Dobbin, who isn't quite fitting in, as a £9m misfit.

To bolster up top, the South Coast side could be considering a swoop into the free agent market, therefore, with this German striker potentially catching their eye.

The free agent who could catch the eye

It wouldn't be an out of the ordinary move for Eckert and Co. to snap up a signing for £0.

In the summer, George Long would return as a back-up goalkeeper on a free transfer deal, and Ryan Manning was once a cheap acquisition, when signing on the dotted line from Swansea City, after his contract in Wales had expired.

To enhance the Saints' options up top, they could decide that their next foray into the bargain bin is Cedric Teuchert, who remains without a club, after waving goodbye to Saint Louis City SC at the end of June.

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg stated last week that there is interest in the 29-year-old's services, and he is ready for a 'fresh challenge', with Teuchert currently training with ex-employers Hannover 96 to keep up his fitness.

There are immediate similarities between Larin and the 6-foot striker when you consider they've both called the MLS home, and both attackers in question have proven themselves to be red-hot in front of goal, wherever they have resided during this nomadic careers.

Another Larin gem?

Larin would bag a hefty 43 goals from 87 MLS appearances, before he ventured to English shores.

Teuchert can't quite boast those same numbers, but he did have ten strikes under his belt for Saint Louis, before he was discarded of in the summer.

These numbers shouldn't be sniffed at, as he played just 42 MLS career games in contrast, meaning he could be a competent back-up to the Brampton Bagsman, if a surprise free transfer move whirred into motion.

He was also widely known as a efficient finisher of chances when previously plying his trade in the 2. Bundesliga, the German equivalent of the Championship.

He has a sublime 44 goals and 18 assists to shout about when starring in this competitive league, with a mighty 14 goals coming his way during the 2022/23 season, despite only starting 19 2. Bundesliga clashes in total, and averaging 53 minutes of action per game.

Teuchert is comfortable shining as a reliable second in command, and another added bonus is that he can play as a number ten, or as a winger down either flank, if needed, to hand Eckert a versatile option all over the attack from off the bench.

Teuchert's 2. Bundesliga numbers:

Southampton fans will likely never have heard of Teuchert's name before stumbling upon this article, but the 29-year-old might just be the cost-effective buy the Saints have been searching for to enhance their options up top.

With Charlton Athletic rumoured to be signing Solly March on a free transfer, expect other clubs to take punts on those still out of contract, as the promotion chasers could do a lot worse than go after the towering German.

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