Southampton will be made to wait as new midfield transfer target is named

At the time of writing, we are now only a week away from the transfer window slamming shut in the Championship.

Southampton still have a lot to get done before the early September deadline, with a new midfielder, and a new centre-back in tandem the clear priorities that need to get done.

Tonda Eckert has assured the slightly restless Saints fanbase, when it comes to transfer inactivity, that he will have a "very strong squad" to select from when all is said and done.

In all fairness, the South Coast titans managed to get a move over the line for Divin Mubama to join on loan from Manchester City very quickly, and he's already proved his worth, with the decisive second goal put away by the powerful attacker during the 3-1 win over Stoke City.

While this move to snap up the London-born striker whirred into motion quickly, it sounds as if Southampton will be made to wait for this other target who they have identified as strengthening their short midfield numbers.

Southampton's new midfield target named

It's a race against the clock now for Eckert and Co. when it comes to adding in those last-minute bits and pieces.

Frustratingly, reports from Spain suggest that Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deossa is - for now - content at staying put at his La Liga employers, despite wide-spread interest in his services from several clubs, including the Saints.

Spanish outlet Diario De Sevilla reports that both West Ham United and Ipswich Town are also keen on snapping up the in-demand Colombian before the window shuts, but the South American is not up for relocating to England at this very moment.

All three of the English clubs named will be waiting on standby to see if Deossa changes his mind, with Olympiakos and Vasco De Gama further listed as other foreign suitors keeping a close eye on developments.

How long will the Saints be willing to wait for, before they make alternative arrangements?

He could be considered a target worth waiting for when looking deeper into his La Liga numbers...

Is he worth waiting for?

Last season, plying his trade for Manuel Pellegrini's men, he showed flashes of his excellence in the top Spanish division.

Indeed, from only eight starts, he managed to average a lively 4.7 duels won per league clash, meaning he could be a good fit for Eckert, as they go about landing a midfielder who can be as tenacious and energetic as the departed Shea Charles.

He was even on the scoresheet for Betis recently, when playing Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, as he stole the show with this thunderbolt of a strike.

When the 26-year-old called Mexico home for the likes of Pachuca and Monterrey, he also showed off his ability to fire home goals in competitive contests, away from just being a combative presence centrally and a goalscorer during friendly matches, with a standout ten strikes put away for Pachuca in 2024.

He could be worth hanging around for, therefore, as it's clear he's highly rated, as Gary O'Neil's Tractor Boys are another party looking at him from the Premier League.

But, with Deossa clearly hesitant about a move to St. Mary's, it could end up being a major waste of time if he remains adamant with his stance.

The hope will be that he does have a quick change of heart, as he realises that Betis want to get rid.

But, with how much of an urgent must it is to win a new midfielder, the Saints might be better placed to look at other targets who are more willing to immediately sign, as the clock ticks ever closer to deadline day, while leaving the chase for the stubborn Doessa on the back burner.

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