Southampton could solve their number ten dilemma with shock new transfer

Dragan Solak has sealed the permanent signings of Daniel Peretz, Cyle Larin, and George Long for Southampton, and we haven't even hit the mid-point of June yet.

Southampton have stormed out the traps with their transfer intentions, and for the Serbian, this is only the start of a mini rebuild that will occur this summer, to boost the Saints' chances of promotion, after the horrors of Spygate.

His next wish is to land another number ten to compete with Finn Azaz, as he has openly admitted that the electric playmaker was lethargic towards the latter stages of the Championship season, due to being overplayed.

New transfer rumours are suggesting that Southampton could well have found their desired man in Callum O'Hare, who currently plays for Sheffield United.

Southampton's shock pursuit of O'Hare

As per TransferFeed.com, it is alleged that Tonda Eckert's side has identified O'Hare as a surprise target to bolster in the number ten spot.

Previously on the books of Coventry City in the Championship, alongside lining up for Chris Wilder's Blades, the 28-year-old is an experienced head for the level.

He could be a worthwhile addition, therefore, away from the news coming from nowhere, with the Solihull-born attacking midfielder capable of reaching Azaz's superb heights, based on his red-hot form in the second tier previously.

Could this be an excellent purchase?

Ultimately, when push comes to shove next season, the Irishman will remain as the Saints' number one choice in the attacking midfield department.

Azaz would collect a blistering 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions last campaign, and he will be looking to match, or even surpass, those numbers when the 2026/27 season gets underway, as the South Coast giants gun for promotion.

However, he isn't superhuman, and towards the close of the season, it was apparent in his performances that he was leggy and tired.

This is where O'Hare could come to the rescue, with the Championship veteran - who started his career on the books of Aston Villa as a youngster - just fresh off an impressive campaign himself, as he amassed 16 goal contributions for the Blades, even as they slumped to a middling 13th spot.

Tallying up 22 goals and 30 assists during a lengthy spell at Coventry, as well, it's clear that the 28-year-old would do a competent job if thrown into the heat of the action, having once been labelled an "outstanding" talent by his ex-Sky Blues boss, Mark Robins.

He has also managed to dazzle at Bramall Lane, even with the likes of Gustavo Hamer stealing the limelight in the attacking midfield spot, so he could slot in shortly and be an ideal second-in-command presence to Azaz.

Capable of coming into the starting XI as a left winger, or as a further back central presence, this has all the ingredients of being an excellent purchase, if these rumours are concrete, and not just rumour mill gossip.

At 28 years of age, too, you would imagine O'Hare would jump at the chance to leave South Yorkshire behind for the South Coast, as he could finally realise his Premier League dreams, with his career mainly residing in the EFL's many leagues.

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