Southampton supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the new Premier League season following the news that manager Mark Hughes has penned a long-term deal to remain in charge at St Mary’s.
The ex-Stoke City boss took over at the South Coast outfit back in March following the departure of Mauricio Pellegrino, and was briefed with the tricky task of keeping the Saints in the top-flight. And while it was far from easy, the 54-year-old did just that by leading the club to vital successes over Bournemouth and Swansea City to eventually finish 17th in the Premier League table, three points clear of the bottom three.
As such, there are many optimistic Southampton fans in the Tavern at present, several of whom are intrigued by recent developments coming out of Championship side Aston Villa, what with financial difficulties seemingly gripping the Midlands giants.
And the Saints must seek to take advantage of Villa’s struggles by making a move for £8.1 million-rated ace Jonathan Kodjia (as per Transfermarkt), as doing so would go some way to solving a key Southampton problem in attack.
Ultimately, while defensively they were reasonably solid during the 2017/18 season, it was going forward which seriously hindered the Saints this term, with the club only mustering 37 goals in their 38 Premier League matches.
And with striker Charlie Austin, who only earned 24 appearances, finishing the season as the joint top goal-scorer with Dusan Tadic on seven, it is clear that not only are they seemingly reliant on the English forward, but that other options are needed in the final third to take the Saints back into the top half of the division next term.
And Kodjia’s arrival could go some way to solving that conundrum.
The 28-year-old made the move to Villa Park back in 2016 after seriously impressing at fellow second tier side Bristol City, and the Ivory Coast international has since gone from strength to strength with 20 goals in 54 games for the Villans, 19 of which coming in his debut season at the club.
Yes, some of our resident Saints fans are somewhat concerned by his injury-stricken campaign this time round, what with Kodjia only mustering 15 Championship appearances for Villa, but it’s clear that the Ivorian has genuine ability in the final third when fit, and as such would add a huge amount to a misfiring Saints front line next time round.
And with Villa seemingly needing to sell this summer amid financial turmoil, Southampton must take advantage by moving for 28-year-old Kodjia in a bid to solve their goal-scoring woes.
Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
