Russell Martin has been discussing his options at centre-forward at Southampton’s annual fans forum ahead of the Premier League season kicking off against Newcastle United on Saturday.
The event at St Mary’s on Monday night gave fans the opportunity to ask the decision makers at Southampton their questions ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Manager Russell Martin was joined by club captain Jack Stephens, CEO Phil Parsons and Performance Director Mark Bitcon at the ticketed event.
The quartet were asked questions relating to a number of topics from burger prices to how much money the club has available to spend this summer, with Martin and his colleagues answering as honestly as possible.
One question that inevitably came up was whether the Saint boss is happy with his current striking options or whether it is an area Southampton will be looking to improve ahead of the end of the transfer window.
Russell Martin on his centre-forward options at Southampton
Southampton have already signed one striker this summer, with Ben Brereton Diaz arriving from Villarreal for £7 million.
The 25-year-old is a versatile forward who tends to prefer operating from wide areas in much the same way as Adam Armstrong.
The other options at centre-forward currently are the inconsistent Sekou Mara, Ross Stewart – who failed to feature in pre-season – and Paul Onuachu who is still expected to leave the club this summer.
Before addressing the question regarding a new striker directly, Martin explained how he currently views the centre-forward situation at the club.
Martin said: “I think we’re really flexible in terms of formation and type of player we need in certain positions and I think that will change game to game. So, I don’t we need a set type in that position…
“Ross [Stewart] is on his way back and I really believe Ross is at the level he needs to be. We just need to get him to a place where he can contribute regularly and consistently.
“Paul [Onuachu] got on on Saturday because he’s our player and he had a great season last season.
“Amidst a lot of rumours and noise this summer he’s trained really, really well so he is an option for us. If we are looking for a certain type of player, Paul might be really useful against one opposition and another might be really useful against someone else.
“We have Arma [Armstrong] and Ben who can play number nine as well, we still have Sekou [Mara] here who can play number nine.”
Martin on three factors that will determine whether Southampton sign another striker this summer
Whilst Martin was complimentary of the options currently at his disposal, he will surely hope Southampton can secure the services of a real quality number nine in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
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However, the club will not sign another striker for the sake of it; particularly when other areas of the squad also need addressing.
Martin explained that he is relatively relaxed about the situation but revealed the three factors that could lead to Southampton moving for a centre-forward before the window closes.
The Saints boss said: “I’m quite easy about it.
“If we see someone we like and we want and is a different profile to the players we have and we deem good enough or better than the players we have and can be a really important player for us then we will try and sign them, whether that’s a number nine or a goalkeeper.”
The criteria for a striker deal are clear: a different profile to current options, better than what is currently at the club and a player that can be important for Southampton.
If the Saints cannot find a player who ticks all three boxes then Martin will back himself to find the right solution with attackers currently at St Mary’s.