Southampton were active in the summer transfer window, but their poor start to the Premier League season has left them needing further reinforcements.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joined from Arsenal, whilst the defence was strengthened by the return of Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Yukinari Sagawara also signed for The Saints from AZ Alkmaar, shoring up a backline that showed improvements in the 1-0 victory over Everton.
Harwood Bellis and Ramsdale featured in Troy Deeney’s team of the week on the back of the win, but their strong defensive work has yet to be matched in the attack.
Cameron Archer, Adam Armstrong, and Ben Brereton Diaz have all cut lonely figures in the Saints’ attack this season, with Russell Martin’s options in midfield also lacking attacking thrust.
It would make sense then for Southampton to target a more dynamic, attack-minded midfielder in the January window. Reports today suggest that they may have picked a very exciting young target.
Southampton linked with a move for Scottish starlet Lennon Miller
Reports in Scotland are suggesting that The Saints may look to pursue 18-year-old Motherwell captain Lennon Miller.
According to the Daily Record: “The Scotland under-21 cap is being scouted by Sport Republic, who own the Saints, French side Valenciennes and Turkish outfit Goztepe. The group has their own scouting network that identifies players for all three clubs.
“They have had the talented 18-year-old scouted remotely and in person in recent weeks and are set to continue to do that over the coming weeks.”
Miller became Motherwell’s youngest-ever player in 2022, coming on as a substitute against Inverness at just 16 years and six days old.
Since then, he has represented Motherwell 54 times, including captaining the side in their recent Scottish League Cup Semi-Final defeat to Rangers.
He has understandably been linked with top Scottish sides Celtic and Rangers, so Saints would need to act fast if they are to secure their man. The figures behind his incredible rise to first-team football show that he would be worth the effort.
Lennon Miller dominates Southampton midfielders in key stats
Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has been quick to praise Miller on Go Radio, saying: “He’s a fantastic footballer and he plays above his years. He plays like he’s 30 […] and he’s not afraid to take the ball in difficult areas.”
That description alone makes Miller seem a perfect fit for The Saints, but his more in-depth statistics this season emphasise his worth even more.
Miller averages nearly two shots per game, in comparison to Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes, who only manages 0.58 per match. He also averages two chances created per match, compared to Fernandes’ 0.87.
Perhaps most impressively, though, is Miller’s six ball recoveries per 90, beating Fernandes’ four, highlighting the young Scot’s ability to impact matches at both ends of the pitch.
He may be playing against weaker opponents, but Miller’s potential shines through in his performances this season. It remains to be seen whether he will continue his meteoric growth in Scotland or make the move down south to The Saints.