Southampton have been linked with a move for an exciting young winger this summer as Russell Martin attempts to add a spark to his attack.
Southampton are running out of time to get their frontline ready for the Premier League as there is now just over a week until Russell Martin takes his side to Newcastle United on August 17.
Ben Brereton Diaz is so far the only attacking signing who is likely to start that game after being signed to replace Che Adams who left upon the end of his contract this summer.
The need for wingers was already pressing for Southampton after David Brooks and Ryan Fraser both returned to their parent clubs after loan spells last season.
An injury to Kamaldeen Sulemana in the 2-0 defeat to Oxford United last week has only served to increase this urgency, with Samuel Edozie and 18-year-old Sam Amo-Ameyaw currently the only two natural wingers available.
Adam Armstrong played his best football wide last season so is an option but Martin still desperately needs improvements in the wide areas.
With that in mind, the club have now been linked with a move for 19-year-old Gent winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Belgian football expert on Southampton target Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Southampton fans could be forgiven for not knowing too much about Fernandez-Pardo given he has not even played 25 games for Gent.
With that in mind, we spoke to Belgian journalist Axel Brisart of HLN to find out more on the young talent.
Brisart told Southampton FC News: “Fernandez-Pardo is a young talent who had his breakthrough at the end of last season.
“He scored eight goals and gave two assists in the last 11 games of last season. He’s explosive, super fast, a good dribbler and has proven he can score a goal. A very good profile.”
Brisart also confirmed how much Gent would want to sanction the sale of Fernandez-Pardo this summer, whilst expressing his surprise at Southampton’s interest so early in the Belgian, saying: “They [Gent] told me that only when they get an offer of like €15 million (£12.8m) they want to talk. That’s a lot of money for a youngster who still has to confirm al the good things of last season.
“It comes as a surprise that there are already clubs like Lazio and Southampton interested in him. He has only played 24 games for Gent.
“But these days club want to buy players very young, to gamble a little bit.”
Southampton must sign another winger as well as Fernandez-Pardo
As exciting a link as this may be, Fernandez-Pardo’s signing would contain an element of risk.
The winger has flourished since breaking into the first-team at Gent, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in 24 senior games.
His ability to play either as a winger or a striker also make him very attractive to Martin, with the Saints boss liking his forward players to be versatile.
At just 19 and with one full season of football under his belt, it would be naive of Southampton to rely too heavily on Fernandez-Pardo to provide goals and assists in the Premier League straight away.
Therefore, at least one other winger is needed this summer even if Fernandez-Pardo makes the move to St Mary’s.