Southampton had a reasonably productive month in the January transfer window when it came to incomings.
There were two news players added to the squad at St Mary’s. Both of those joined from Bournemouth, with David Brooks and Joe Rothwell signing on loan until the end of the season.
The window has subsequently only been closed for a couple of weeks, allowing the Saints to now focus on the Championship promotion race.
Now though, it appears as if Southampton are already starting to put some plans in place for when the market reopens again in the summer.
Southampton linked with Juventus transfer raid
According to reports from TuttoJuve, the Saints are now interested in signing winger Samuel Iling-Junior from Juventus.
The 20-year-old has spent his whole senior career with the Italian giants. During that time, he has two goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions for Juve’s first-team.
However, it is now thought Juventus would be willing to let him leave for a fee of around €15million (£12.84million), when the window reopens.
There is just over a year remaining on the winger’s contract with Juventus, which is set to expire at the end of next season.
Along with Southampton, three Premier League sides – Brighton, Brentford and Crystal Palace – are all credited with an interest in Iling-Junior.
The Saints and Juventus recently did business in the January transfer window. That saw Charly Alcaraz join Juve on loan from Southampton until the end of the season.
It has been reported that the deal includes an option for Juventus to buy the Argentine for a fee of £40million.
Samuel Iling-Junior could be a useful addition at St Mary’s
It would be an interesting bit of business if Southampton do complete the signing of Iling-Junior.
In truth, the winger has never really managed to take a chance to consistently show what he can do at Juventus.
However, there have certainly been flashes of quality throughout his time with the Italian giants.
If he was to move to somewhere like Southampton that could come to the fore on a more regular basis, and make him a major asset for the Saints.
Indeed, interest from the Premier League would make it a coup to bring him to St Mary’s. Even so, the fact that Southampton have done business with Juventus recently over Alcaraz may give them an edge here.
With David Brooks and Ryan Fraser currently only on loan until the end of the season, the Saints may need some extra options out wide as well come the summer.
As a result, a deal for Iling-Junior is one that may prove to be worth pursuing for Southampton.