Southampton are facing competition from a European side for one of their summer transfer targets.
The Saints will need to improve their attacking threat if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation in 2024/25.
Southampton finished the 2023/24 Championship season with 87 goals scored – less than both of the other newly-promoted teams.
Russell Martin has also seen his attack weakened in the 2024 transfer market so far.
Stuart Armstrong was the club’s joint-fifth-top scorer in the previous season and he has now left the club.
The bigger blow to Southampton’s attack, however, comes with Che Adams, who netted 18 and assisted six in 2023/24, departing on a free transfer.
As they bid to strengthen their attack, the South Coast outfit have been linked with several attackers this summer.
Ben Brereton Diaz recently completed a move to St Mary’s and Southampton are expected to target another centre-forward following his arrival.
The Saints have been linked with Liverpool’s Ben Doak, but probably need a more experienced attacker to replace the goals of Armstrong and Adams.
Real Betis make offer for Southampton transfer target
The recently-promoted outfit have this week been linked with an experienced European forward who could fill the gap in their forward line.
Reports emerging from Germany claimed that Southampton are interested in Youssoufa Moukoko, who is looking to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.
A number of other European clubs were also credited with an interest and one of those sides has now made an offer for the striker.
According to Spanish outlet ElDesmarque, Real Betis have made an offer to Dortmund to take the German on loan for the 2024/25 season.
Unlike Southampton, Real Betis have European football next term and Moukoko is said to be considering the Spanish side’s proposal.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin makes Southampton transfer stance on Kyle Walker-Peters clear amid interest
What Youssoufa Moukoko would bring to Southampton
While Betis pushing forward in their pursuit of Moukoko is not good news for Southampton, the player’s future is not decided just yet.
The now 19-year-old is one of the brightest young prospects in world football and has already been capped twice for Germany’s senior team.
Moukoko also became the youngest-ever goalscorer in Bundesliga history back in December 2020 at the age of 15.
And while he is still a teenager, Moukoko already has 99 senior appearances for Dortmund, in which he has scored 18 and provided eight assists.
The centre-forward struggled for regular action in the previous campaign, completing 90 minutes in just two Bundesliga games.
But a move to a club like Southampton where he would start regularly could be just what Moukoko needs in his career right now.