Southampton are at risk of making a huge error as they head into the Premier League by neglecting their front line.
Russell Martin has seen eight first-team players come in at Southampton this summer but the quality of the starting XI is arguably no better as a result.
Defence was clearly the focus at the beginning of the transfer window, with Yukinari Sugawara, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood and Charlie Taylor all signed to bolster the defensive ranks.
Flynn Downes has arrived permanently after an impressive season on loan, whilst veteran Adam Lallana should provide experience and quality in midfield once he finds his fitness.
So far, Ben Brereton Diaz is the sole addition to the forward line, with Southampton looking worryingly light in the final third as the season draws closer.
The 25-year-old striker is a decent addition as the replacement for Che Adams, but Southampton still need another centre-forward if they are to survive in the Premier League.
Southampton prepare bid for Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski
Southampton fans have been hoping the fact the club have so far spent relatively modest fees on the bulk of their summer arrivals means the club are holding money back for a couple of marquee attacking signings.
However, latest reports suggest that will not be a striker, as the Saints eye a move for Aberdeen centre-forward Bojan Miovski.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that both ‘Genoa and Southampton are preparing to submit offers’ for Miovski.
The report adds that Espanyol saw a £3 million bid rejected last week, with Aberdeen valuing the North Macedonian at £6.5 million.
Miovski not the solution to Southampton lack of firepower
Adam Armstrong and Sekou Mara are both yet to show they can score regularly at Premier League level, whilst Ross Stewart is still a relative unknown given his injury woes.
Brereton Diaz scored six goals in 14 games for a really poor Sheffield United side last season but this is a very small sample size to conclude that he can score enough goals to keep Southampton in the Premier League.
Miovski would represent another unknown quantity.
The tall striker was undeniably impressive last campaign as he scored 26 goals and provided four assists in 53 games for a struggling Aberdeen side, but how well this translates to England’s top tier is up for debate.
Aberdeen team-mate Kelle Roos rates the striker highly, saying in November: “Bojan is brilliant. If you feed him, he will score.
“He always finds himself on the shoulder and Bojan always gets his body in front. Bojan can really be a threat from all angles.
“He can score from crosses, he has one-touch finishes.
“I have played with strikers who are also good shooters – but they don’t have anything near the mobility Bojan has.
“He’s a great striker and someone we all enjoy having in the team.”
Despite this resounding backing, Southampton are not in a position where they can afford to take a risk with a budget striker signing this summer.
A marquee centre-forward is needed who is guaranteed to score at Premier League level.
This will come at a premium but it is a necessary outlay if the Saints want to stay in the top flight.