Southampton made 14 first-team signings in the summer but Russell Martin certainly did not get all of his transfer targets.
The likes of Yukinari Sugawara, Mateus Fernandes and Cameron Archer all joined the Southampton ranks to help Russell Martin keep the club in the Premier League.
Last season’s loan trio Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser also all signed permanently; Fraser’s move from Newcastle United eventually competed on Deadline Day.
With Che Adams leaving upon the expiration of his contract in June and the club selling Sekou Mara, a striker was high on the agenda for Martin ahead of the season.
- READ MORE: Che Adams reveals the real reason he left Southampton for Torino during the summer window
That saw Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz both signed after spending time at relegated Sheffield United last season but Southampton were still pushing to get one more forward in until late in the window.
Yuri Alberto opens up on failed Southampton transfer
After a number of centre-forward options were explored, Southampton appeared to settle on Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto as their favoured target.
With Brazil’s domestic season running across the calendar year, Alberto has notched an impressive 17 goals and six assists across 44 matches in all competitions across 2024.
This kind of form saw Southampton offer a £2.5 million loan fee with an option to buy of around £15 million next summer, but Corinthians rejected the offer.
Now, Alberto has spoken on the failed move, as he said via Trivela: “I play for one of the biggest teams in the world. I am happy at Corinthians. Today, my life is Corinthians.
“I play for myself, for my family and for each and every one of this crazy bunch. I have the utmost respect for this fanbase that never tires of supporting us, both in good times and in bad. It is different from anything I have ever seen in my life.”
Alberto went on to add: “There was an offer from England. The board chose to decline. Everything is fine. I’m happy and will continue to be happy.
“It’s my dream to play in Europe, to compete in the Premier League, but everything has its time, and those who control this know everything. If I’m here today, it’s because there’s something very big for me and for Corinthians.”
Southampton could return for Alberto in January
Whilst Southampton may have missed out on Alberto in the summer, it is still possible that Martin could revive his interest in the forward when the winter transfer window opens in January.
That is because Trivela confirm that Corinthians are now much more open to allowing Alberto to leave as they have signed Memphis Depay and Andre Carillo to play up front.
The Brazilian giants are also expected to try and tempt one of the biggest stars in Brazil to the club in Gabriel Barbosa as he will soon be available on a pre-contract and selling Alberto would help the club pull of the audacious move.
Therefore, if Southampton are still interested in Alberto come January they could well be met by a Corinthians hierarchy much more open to negotiation.