Southampton are now eyeing up a move for an ‘exciting’ Portuguese attacker who played Champions League football for his club last season.
In preparations for the Premier League, it appears Russell Martin is building from back to front at Southampton.
Four of the five players signed so far have been defensive options, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, Ronnie Edwards and Charlie Taylor.
The only midfield or forward player recruited by Martin has been Adam Lallana, so the Saints must do a lot of work in the market before their squad is ready to tackle the top flight.
There have been some promising signs in that regard as Southampton continue to chase Celtic’s Matt O’Riley while Manchester City’s Liam Delap has also been linked, along with another exciting forward.
Southampton and Leicester City chase Tiago Gouveia
Last summer, Benfica forward Tiago Gouveia was touted with a season-long loan move to Southampton, who were keen to sign the attacker alongside a handful of other Championship clubs.
Gouveia instead remained at Benfica and made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and adding three assists.
Now, it has been reported by Portuguese outlet O Jogo that the 23-year-old is ‘on the radar’ of newly promoted clubs, Saints and Leicester City.
Whilst there was no mention of an asking price or whether the club were prepared to sell the former Portugal under-21 international, Martin should advance in his interest and lure him to St Mary’s.
Russell Martin could follow Portuguese blueprint in the Premier League
Dubbed an ‘exciting’ player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Gouveia is a promising winger who featured three times in the Champions League last term as Benfica finished third in their group behind Real Sociedad and Inter Milan.
Martin is currently on the lookout for a new right winger after David Brooks returned to Bournemouth following his loan spell, and landing Gouveia could see the Saints follow a clear strategy that other clubs have utilised in the Premier League.
In the modern era, there has been a clamour for top-flight clubs in England to hoover up the most talented Portuguese players. Wolves are recognised most for this, having previously signed the likes of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto as young players.
That trio have since flourished at England’s top table and if Southampton land Gouveia, he could repeat that success.
The fleet-footed attacker has shined in Portugal’s top division and deserves to show his class in the Premier League.