The free agent star who could be just what Southampton needs

Southampton chairman Dragan Solak has been very vocal about his transfer intentions this summer.

Already landing both Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin permanently, the next call that will hopefully go in their favour, too, is tying James Bree down to a longer deal at St. Mary's.

He isn't done here, either, with the Serbian addressing his desire for another number ten this summer, who can complement Finn Azaz, in a recent tell-all interview.

Solak's hunt for a new number ten

Solak has been an open book since June hit the calendar, with a video on the Saints' X page addressing everything to do with Spygate head on.

Now, he has spoken to the Daily Echo, as well, on a wide range of topics, including his wish to bring in another number ten, to ensure Azaz isn't being overworked as Southampton's main attacking midfield spark.

The Irishman was a force to be reckoned with at points last season, with 11 goals and eight assists next to his name, as he featured in 45 out of 46 games in the regular Championship season.

He was barely given a rest, though, with Solak opening up in that recent interview with the Daily Echo that the ex-Middlesbrough midfielder was "tired" come the end of the long season.

Therefore, he has noted that a number ten who can "play at the level of Finn" is a must this summer.

He could be tempted to pick up this free agent to give Azaz more competition, with the star in question excelling in three different countries, as a similarly nomadic talent to Larin.

Could he pick up this free agent?

While Larin would show off his prolific edge in front of goal last season for the Saints, with eight goals from only ten Championship starts, he began to garner a reputation for being a lethal goalscorer on the books of Orlando City during the fledgling stages of his career.

Bagging a stunning 44 goals from 89 games for Orlando, it's great to see that the Canadian is still capable of reaching these devastating levels in the here and now.

Amine Bassi would fancy his chances of being an effective attacker, too, for Eckert's men, having last called the MLS home with the Houston Dynamo.

A free agent since January, the Moroccan playmaker would collect an impressive 21 goals and 18 assists playing in Houston, but these numbers are only scratching the surface as to why he could be a shrewd number ten acquisition for Solak.

Bassi also has 24 goals and 16 assists next to his name while playing in Ligue 2 for AS Nancy Lorraine, which means he shouldn't be fearful of another challenging second division in the Championship.

After all, he has already lined up in the intense hustle and bustle of the second tier before, with Bassi playing for Barnsley - who Eckert was coincidentally associated with once upon a time - briefly during the 2021/22 season.

He was a hit as a Tykes loanee, too, with two goals and five assists falling into his lap from only 15 appearances. Safe to say, he lived up to the words of the then Barnsley manager Poya Asbaghi, who said he is the sort of talent who can make an "instant impact."

Noted as being a "joy to have around our club" by Houston president Pat Onstad, too, he could be a welcome addition to the attacking ranks at Southampton, as a figure Eckert can fall back on, if Azaz is tiring.

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