Southampton had been considering making a move for Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, but a deal is now looking ‘unlikely’.
The Saints are looking for new midfield signings given the potential double departure of both James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia.
The effects of relegation and replacing his most important players will be Russell Martin’s most challenging problem to solve this summer.
It seems now however that Martin has identified his target replacement for at least one of his midfielders in Leicester’s Choudhury.
Choudhury doesn’t really answer any questions that selling wither Lavia or Ward-Prowse as he differs from both stylistically. Choudhury is more of a ball-winner opposed to a technically gifted Lavia type or a solid box-to-box Ward-Prowse type.
Southampton considered Choudhury move
Despite Choudhury being a name mentioned prior, the Daily Mail now view a move from Southampton as ‘unlikely’. While many will be disappointed out of a sheer desperation for signings, it could be the right move from The Saints.
Choudhury despite being coined as ‘sensational’ by Brendan Rodgers, isn’t exactly comfortable in possession, which is the type of football that The Saints are likely to implement with Martin keen on his players being comfortable in possession.
The midfielder impressed last season at Watford but his defensive qualities were what stood out not his on-ball talent.
Defensively however is a huge area of concern for Southampton having conceded 73 goals last season, resulting in a bottom of the league finish. Often criticism was pointed at the defence and the defensive capabilities of the midfield in Lavia and Ward-Prowse who both prefer to play forward.
Therefore it is highly likely Choudhury is unlikely in favour of a move for a better on-ball player, such as the links with Jay Fulton and Matt Grimes earlier in the window or more recently Flynn Downes.
It is important that in losing their best players, Southampton don’t miss-profile them and sign inadequate replacements.