Southampton manager Russell Martin is unlikely to have many complaints about the quality of his squad, but that does not mean to say they will not be targeting one or two additions this January transfer window.
Southampton have already been linked with Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland given the long-term injury to Ross Stewart and the uncertain future of Che Adams, but they are now linked with a 19-year-old midfielder who is yet to make his first-team debut.
Ussumane Djalo is the player in question, with the Porto midfielder having played solely for the club’s ‘B’ team in the Portuguese second division in his fledgling career to date.
According to the Daily Mail, Southampton are one of a number of English club’s monitoring the Portugal youth midfielder, with Manchester United, Brighton, Everton and Southampton all having representatives spotted scouting Djalo at Porto youth games in the past few months.
The Daily Mail went on to confirm that the ‘skilful’ young talent has a release clause of around £8 million, but speculate that his signature could be secured for considerably less than that fee.
Who is Ussumane Djalo?
In his short career to date, Djalo has primarily played as a deep-lying midfielder but has also played as a more conventional centre midfielder at times.
Despite descending from Guinea Bissau, Djalo has Portuguese citizenship and has represented the European nation since the under-15 age group. He has progressed through the ranks internationally and has played six games for the under-19 side, most recently in a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland.
Despite being just 19, this wouldn’t be the first transfer of Djalo’s career as he made the switch from fellow Portuguese giants Benfica to Porto in the summer of 2022. He is clearly highly rated in Portugal, as you do not have two of the biggest clubs in the land battling for you to commit your future to them if you aren’t an exciting prospect.
This season, Djalo has started just one league game for Porto B and has appeared off the bench in another six matches. He has enjoyed more success in this season’s UEFA Youth League though, as he started all but one group game as Porto’s youth side won five of their six games. The midfielder also scored one and provided two assists in a group that consisted of Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp.
Will Southampton sign Djalo?
Given the interest in Djalo from a number of Premier League clubs, it will be difficult for Southampton to convince the youngster to sign. However, the Saints have recent pedigree in signing bright young talents and giving them a fast-track to first-team football; with the likes of Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia able to testify to that fact.
A winger was the priority this transfer window – even before the injury picked up by in-form Sam Edozie on New Year’s Day – with a striker potentially also on the agenda. Midfield is an area Martin will likely be happy with the depth he currently has, with the likes of Flynn Downes, Shea Charles, Stuart Armstrong, Carlos Alcaraz, Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo available once he returns from the African Cup of Nations.
Given his inexperience and Southampton’s desire to return to the Premier League at the first attempt this season, should the Saints sign Djalo it will be a case of him being viewed as very much one for the future. Whilst he is clearly a player Southampton are monitoring, the money is arguably much better off being spent on players who can come in and make an instant impact in order to help the promotion cause.
The interest is mounting and with so many clubs circling it is unlikely that Southampton will be able to wait until the summer to secure Djalo’s signature, so this may be a deal they miss out on. However, one thing that is for sure is that the 19-year-old will be one to keep an eye on over the next few years.