Southampton need at least one new striker this summer but have been left disappointed in their pursuit of Manchester City forward Liam Delap.
Russell Martin has been focused on defensive reinforcements so far this summer, with Adam Lallana the only one of Southampton‘s five signings that isn’t a defender.
That theme looks set to continue, with the Saints on the brink of completing a deal for Japanese right-back Yukinari Sugawara.
Martin currently has three senior strikers at the club with Che Adams out of contract, with Ross Stewart, Adam Armstrong and Sekou Mara the trio that remain.
With than in mind, Martin is determined to add quality at the top end of the pitch, but Southampton look to have missed out on the £20 million signing of Liam Delap to Ipswich Town.
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That will not end the club’s pursuit of a player that can fire them to Premier League safety, though, and here are three players they could now consider as alternatives to Delap.
Southampton could step up Cameron Archer interest
Cameron Archer is one forward that has been linked with a move to St Mary’s this summer.
The 22-year-old only signed for Sheffield United last year for around £18 million, but has returned to Aston Villa as was the agreement should the Blades be relegated.
Villa are expected to be looking to swiftly move the young forward on again this summer and Southampton could look to swoop.
There would be an element of risk involved in a deal as Archer only scored four top flight goals last season, but Delap has only played two Premier League games in total so that is unlikely to put the club off a move.
The Saints could also use this to argue that Archer’s value has reduced since his move to Sheffield United to secure a deal for less than £18 million.
Move for Eddie Nketiah would show Southampton ambition
So far Southampton have spent relatively little in the transfer market, with Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood £3 million each and Lallana and Charlie Taylor both free.
- READ MORE: Imminent Southampton signing could hint at how Russell Martin wants to use Charlie Taylor
Harwood-Bellis’ loan cost £20 million to make permanent, but that is all Martin’s side have spent so far.
That could be because they are planning to spend big on a striker and that could see them target a deal for out of favour Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah.
Appreciated by Mikel Arteta, Nketiah is perhaps not quite at the level required for a club competing for the Premier League title.
However, he knows where the goal is and has netted 38 times for Arsenal across 168 games.
Arteta was full of praise for the Nketiah after his goal helped Arsenal to an opening day win over Nottingham Forest last season having missed out starting in the Community Shield a week earlier.
The Gunners boss said: “I’m delighted for him because he is a role model.
“Nketiah was very disappointed he did not start against Manchester City, but he came on in the game and had a huge impact, trained like a beast this week, telling me ‘I deserve to play’.
“I had to play him because he gave me every reason with his reaction.”
At 25, the opportunity to be a guaranteed starter in the top flight might be an attractive prospect for Nketiah and Southampton could look to capitalise.
Southampton could raid Ralph Hasenhuttl for Jonas Wind
The third and final option is Jonas Wind.
The Danish forward plays for Wolfsburg in Germany; notable as the club managed by former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
With 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions last season, Wind was the most effective of the three players discussed and represents an exciting talent.
With eight goals in 31 games for Denmark, the striker has international pedigree too and could be set for a move this summer after an impressive campaign.
With his hold up play one of his best assets, Wind could prove the perfect striker for Martin’s side as he likes to use his centre-forward as a focal point.
A far less risky move than Delap would have been, and likely much cheaper too, Wind could be the solution to Southampton’s striker search.