Southampton could finally address Russell Martin’s striker woes this summer with a move for Borussia Dortmund youngster Yousouffa Moukoko.
Russell Martin may have to accept that he will have to make use of what is available to him already for Southampton’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United on Saturday.
That will likely mean Ben Brereton Diaz and Adam Armstrong spearhead the Southampton attack, with Ross Stewart not featuring in pre-season and Sekou Mara the back-up.
Surprisingly 6ft 8ins striker Paul Onuachu is still at the club amid constant speculation of a return to Turkey – where he scored 17 goals last season – and gives Martin something different up front.
However, Martin will want more and, after revealing his criteria for new signings at Southampton’s fan forum on Monday, Youssoufa Moukoko could be a perfect option.
Southampton target Youssoufa Moukoko expected to be available on loan
Brereton Diaz is the only striker to arrive at the club this summer.
In fact, Adam Lallana is the only other of Southampton’s eight first-team signings that could even be considered attacking and the veteran has missed the entirety of pre-season through injury.
Therefore, Southampton currently look very light on final third options and could swoop as there has been a development on target Moukoko’s future.
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The 19-year-old forward had been expected to wrap up a move to Marseille but that now looks to have fallen through as per Bild.
The German outlet report that talks with Marseille have hit an impasse, with Dortmund keen to agree a loan with an obligation to buy for £13 million but the French club offering less.
The report states that there is ‘no agreement in sight’ and that could see the Saints revive their interest in the German international.
Moukoko an upgrade on Southampton attackers
Moukoko became the Bundesliga’s youngest ever appearance maker as he made his debut just one day after his 16th birthday in 2020.
The German striker cemented his growing wonderkid status as he broke another record to become the German national side’s youngest ever player at 17, but things have gone slightly stale for the youngster.
Dortmund and Germany team-mate Mats Hummels was full of praise for then-16-year-old Moukoko after his display against Union Berlin in December 2020, saying: “I think he did a lot of good things, it was clearly his best game so far.
“It’s almost reassuring that he needs a bit of a warm-up period and doesn’t completely outplay every Bundesliga defender at just 16. He’s a really talented kid, he’s stepping on the gas.”
Still only 19, Moukoko’s development has stalled at Dortmund with the striker scoring six goals last season and making just four league starts.
With the player pushing for a move, Southampton could benefit from offering the German a home at which to get his career back on track.
If Martin could get the best out of the Dortmund man he would be streets ahead of the other centre-forward options at the club and £13 million would represent a very good price in the modern day.