Southampton supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the 2018/19 Premier League season following the news that manager Mark Hughes has penned a long-term deal with the club.
The 54-year-old took over at the South Coast outfit back in March following the departure of Mauricio Pellegrino, who had until then overseen a shambolic campaign which had the Saints at huge risk of losing their Premier League status. However, former Stoke City and Wales boss Hughes led the club to key victories over Bournemouth and Swansea City to narrowly avoid the drop, eventually finishing a place and three points above the bottom three.
Thus, there are many optimistic and expectant Southampton fans in the Tavern at present, several of whom are likely to be intrigued by recent reports suggesting that Liverpool will look to sell Daniel Sturridge for as little as £15 million this summer.
And for just £15 million, Hughes’ Southampton must seek to make a move for the 28-year-old hotshot as they seek to solve a key problem in their squad.
Ultimately, while the Saints were reasonably solid at the back last term, they were pretty hopeless going forward in netting just 37 goals in their 38 Premier League matches, with Charlie Austin, appearing just 24 times, finishing alongside Dusan Tadic as the club’s top goal-scorer with a mere seven goals.
And with the likes of Shane Long, Guido Carrillo, and Manolo Gabbiadini for the most part failing to impress, it’s pretty clear what department needs serious strengthening this summer if Hughes is to take the Saints back into the top half of the Premier League.
And while Sturridge’s injury problems have been well documented over the years, for as little as £15 million, it’s surely a risk worth taking, as the rewards could be huge.
The England international, who failed to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for the World Cup, has scored a mightily impressive 75 goals in 200 appearances in the top-flight during his career, with only his injury troubles preventing him from being classed as one of the division’s elite forwards.
Yet it’s clear that, when fully fit and firing, there aren’t many better in front of goal than the Liverpool man – not many strikers of that calibre will be available for just £15 million this summer, regardless of injury concerns.
As such, with the Reds reportedly seeking £15 million for the 28-year-old, Southampton must seek to make a move, as doing so would go some way to solving their obvious problem in the final third of the pitch.
Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
