Russell Martin will be growing concerned at Southampton’s inability to secure signings in the attacking areas with just days before the Premier League opener against Newcastle United.
Southampton have welcomed eight first-team arrivals this summer, spending over £55 million in total on the likes of Flynn Downes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Yukinari Sugawara.
However, the signings Russell Martin has made so far have been primarily defensive, with Ben Brereton Diaz and Adam Lallana the only two attack-minded newcomers.
With Che Adams leaving earlier in the summer following the expiration of his contract, Paul Onuachu’s expected move away and Ross Stewart yet to feature this pre-season, Southampton look very light in attack.
Now, that looks to be compounded further with news that striker target Bojan Miovski is set to secure a move elsewhere.
Southampton set to miss out on Bojan Miovski to Girona
Southampton have been linked with a number of strikers this season and, whilst it is pleasing that the club secured a deal for Brereton Diaz, it still feels like Martin needs another striker.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin’s next Southampton transfer priority after Ben Brereton Diaz transfer now revealed
That had seen the Saints eye a move for Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski after the North Macedonian caught the eye with 26 goals and four assists last season.
However, Southampton will have to turn their attention elsewhere as the 25-year-old is close to wrapping up a deal to sign for Champions League new boys Girona.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who posted on ‘X’: “Bojan Miovski to Girona, here we go! All set to get deal sealed for fee in excess of €8 million (£7m) package.
“Miovski wanted to play Champions League football and he wanted the move to Girona.”
Southampton must back Russell Martin with attacking signings this month
Miovski will be playing in red and white next season, but it will be in the kit of La Liga side Girona and not Southampton.
How high on the list of priorities Miovski was for Martin is unclear, but he will certainly want at least two new attacking options before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
One of those is a creative attacking midfielder, with Matt O’Riley Martin’s preferred option but likely to cost in the region of £30 million.
- READ MORE: How much Southampton have bid for Matt O’Riley as Premier League rival ‘ready to offer’ more
The other is a winger or a striker, with Brereton Diaz and Armstrong’s tendency to prefer wide areas meaning a focal point may be needed to spearhead the attack.
If Southampton are to have a chance of surviving in the top flight they cannot afford to be frugal in these key areas and risk missing out on more targets.