Southampton’s focus this transfer window has been primarily on keeping players rather than buying them, but an exciting transfer link has now emerged.
Fresh off the back of breaking an 123-year club record by going 20 league games unbeaten by beating Swansea City 3-1 on Saturday, Russell Martin is in no mood to slow down.
Kyle Walker-Peters has been Southampton’s best player this season and is unsurprisingly being linked with a big move, with Chelsea reportedly showing interest. Che Adams scored again on Saturday, taking his fine run of goalscoring form to five goals in his last six games amid links with a cut-price exit this month, whilst it is unclear whether Mason Holgate will see his loan spell cut short.
Despite the links, Southampton are yet to make a sale this transfer window and have instead strengthened by bringing in midfielder Joe Rothwell on loan from Bournemouth; the 29-year-old expected to make his first start in the FA Cup fourth round at Watford on Saturday.
Now Southampton fans can get excited, as the St Mary’s club have been linked with a stunning move for Juventus attacker Matias Soule, who is currently thriving on loan at fellow Serie A club Frosinone.
What is the latest on Southampton links with Matias Soule?
According to reports in Italian outlet Calciomercato, Southampton ‘would like to invest’ in 20-year-old winger Soule.
Similar reports emerged last month, with loan club Frosinone’s president stating that a number of English clubs were interested in capturing Soule given his impressive form. Having made 21 appearances for Juventus and scoring once, it was decided that 20-year-old Soule would benefit from a loan spell this season, with Frosinone delighted to take on the Argentine for the campaign.
The loan spell so far has been mutually beneficial for all parties, with Soule scoring nine goals and providing one assist in 19 Serie A games. Frosinone were expected to struggle this season, but Soule has helped steer the side to 13th in the league, whilst the experience has no doubt been invaluable for the youngster.
Juventus will be delighted too. Soule is showing the talent that persuaded Juventus to bring him from Argentina as a 17-year-old in the first place and he is developing at a rate that could see him challenge for a place at The Old Lady next season. More likely, though, Juventus are rubbing their hands together as Soule’s price increases with every dazzling performance.
Soule’s agent confirmed to TMF that parent-club Juventus take a keen interest in his client’s development and are very much keeping tabs on Soule, as he said: “At Juventus they follow him, they are behind him, they send continuous messages. Mati is a player much appreciated by Juventus. I am very proud of him, he is a champion. He always shows that he has something extra.”
The Calciomercato report claims Juventus value Soule at around £30 million, but this is deemed unrealistic with Transfermarkt valuing the wide man at closer to £21 million.
Could Southampton sign Soule from Juventus?
Realistically, even if Juventus were to consider an offer below £30 million, it feels highly unlikely that Southampton would part with that much money on one player this month; especially given their record signing is Kamaldeen Sulemana at £22 million.
Newcastle United are one of the other clubs reportedly interested in Soule and if their interest is concrete then it would be incredibly difficult to compete with the riches of the north east club.
Signing a right winger is Martin’s top priority, but it would be very difficult to secure the signing of Soule given he is halfway through an incredibly successful season-long loan and the club are currently in the English second tier.
What is perhaps more likely, is that it is a deal Southampton can reconsider in the summer should they secure promotion, with competition for the player tipped by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni as “the future of the national team” expected to be fierce.
Southampton have been linked with a number of other options at right wing, none of whom are expected to cost as much as Soule. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, Bournemouth’s David Brooks and Burnley’s Manuel Benson have all received admiring glances from the club, but as yet there has been no movement.
To spend in the region of £21 to £30 million on a player as a Championship side would be almost unthinkable, but don’t be surprised if Soule is linked with a move to the Saints again in the summer should they achieve their goal of a return to the Premier League at the first attempt.