Southampton forward Adam Armstrong has made a deadline-day loan switch to West Bromwich. While it's a fresh start for Armstrong, the Saints are interested in him imitating loanee teammate's case.
Quick question, remember the number of attacking pairs Southampton changed this season? Certainly, it has been a lot. For an idea, recently, improving forward Paul Onuachu played just his third full game.
Tracing back to the beginning of the season, Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz were assigned the number nine roles. Safe to say, neither of them did enough justice to this position.
As a result, Diaz was left with no other choice than to pursue a fresh start at Sheffield United. Going by his first Championship appearance, the Chilean seems on track to enjoy a goalfest alongside a likely Premier League promotion, there.
Quite naturally, Adam Armstrong must have also dreamed about a Championship return. Sounds surprising but the 27-year-old has a glowing reputation among the best forwards there.
Well, dreams do come true and Armstrong has his wish fulfilled. In the final hours of the deadline day, West Brom convinced Southampton to take the Englishman on a January loan.
Though question marks surrounded the deal following Abakar Sylla's scenario, The Sun reporter Jack Rosser dismissed any such fears.
Southampton hoping for a Ben Brereton Diaz repeat with big transfer announcement
Rosser confirmed a move, saying: "Everything agreed a signed off by the EFL for Adam Armstrong to join West Brom on loan until the end of the season."
In terms of squad depth, Armstrong's exit has hollowed Southampton's attacking unit. But, looking on the bright side, it has simplified Southampton's situation a bit.
Any day, Saints fans would wish Armstrong to perform well in the Championship rather than struggling here.
Further, Armstrong's brilliant form might help Southampton extract some money they vested in him. After all, the Englishman hasn't been effective upfront in the Premier League all these years.
Safe to say, the Saints would be happy if they get a significant payday from his future sale.