Southampton fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with their club’s failure to strengthen the attack this summer ahead of their Premier League return.
Russell Martin has made eight first-team signings at Southampton this summer but, of those, five have been defenders.
Another has been last season’s loanee Flynn Downes, whilst veteran attacking midfielder Adam Lallana has arrived for free but is yet to feature this pre-season due to a muscle problem.
Therefore, Ben Brereton Diaz is the only attacking player that has come in ready to make an instant impact; something he showed by netting five minutes into his full debut in the 1-1 draw against Lazio in the Saints’ latest pre-season test.
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An attacking midfielder and a winger are two of the priorities this before the end of August and Southampton now look set out on a player who can play both positions.
Leicester City to beat Southampton to Facundo Buonanotte signing
It is no secret that Martin is very keen on setting up a reunion with Celtic’s Matt O’Riley whom he managed at MK Dons this summer to play in the advanced midfield position.
However, with fierce completion for the Denmark international’s signature and a price tag likely to be close to £30 million, Southampton have had to consider alternative targets.
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That has reportedly seen the club turn their attention to a loan move for Brighton youngster Facundo Buonanotte, with the player attractive due to his versatility in forward areas.
However, it now looks as though the Saints will miss out to a fellow newly-promoted club as Leicester City look set to secure a temporary deal for the 19-year-old.
That is according to Daily Mail journalist Tom Collomosse, who posted on ‘X’: “Leicester closing in on season’s loan deal for Facundo Buonanotte of Brighton. Player could undergo medical today if all progresses smoothly.”
Southampton must improve attacking options to have hope of Premier League survival
Whilst it is not thought that Buonanotte – who Lewis Dunk has dubbed ‘excellent’ – is a high priority target for Southampton, this news represents another disappointment as Martin looks set to start the season light on forwards.
With Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong both having left following the expiration of their contracts this summer and wingers Ryan Fraser and David Brooks returning to their parent clubs after their St Mary’s loans, Southampton were already on the back foot this summer.
With Kamaldeen Sulemana picking up an injury that will see him miss the start of the season and Lallana and Ross Stewart both yet to play a minute this pre-season, the need for reinforcements is getting desperate.
At the very least, Martin needs an attacking midfielder, winger and striker before the transfer window closes.
However, he does not just need bodies, he needs real quality in all three positions to come in over the next few weeks or Southampton’s chances of surviving in the Premier League look bleak.