Kenilworth Road, Luton, Britain - May 7, 2022. Luton Town's James Bree in action with Reading's Baba Rahman.
Southampton are considering a move to sign Luton Town defender James Bree this month, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Reunion on the cards?
Premier League manager Nathan Jones has already completed his first two signings on the south coast in the form of Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz, but has identified the 25-year-old as another player he’d like to bring to St. Mary’s.
The Saints boss has an existing connection to the right-back having managed him during his time at Kenilworth Road, with his successor Rob Edwards recently admitting that a reunion could be a possibility.
The Latest: Southampton eyeing Bree
According to Sky Sports’ transfer centre, Southampton are currently looking at a ‘list of options’ in the right-back position, with Bree one of the players included.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence is also name-checked for a potential loan deal but that depends on whether Antonio Conte would be willing to ‘let him go’.
Celtic’s Josip Juranovic was another they held an ‘interest’ in, but he has now joined Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin, therefore shortening the candidates available to them.
The Verdict: Livramento replacement
Tino Livramento has suffered a fresh setback with his knee injury and was recently spotted on crutches and in a brace, so Southampton have to secure a replacement this month, and Bree would be a suitable candidate.
The Wakefield-born talent currently averages 2.2 key passes per game and already has four assists to his name in the Championship this season, form which has seen him dubbed a ‘top player’ by Pete O’Rourke. To put those numbers into perspective, no Saints player, let alone defender, averages more key passes than the Luton full-back this season.
Bree also shares the same agent as Theo Walcott and – ironically- Livramento himself, and with the chance to work under Jones once again available, this might be too good of an opportunity for him to turn down.
Should Southampton sign Bree?
Yes
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