Southampton officially completed the signing of Sekou Mara from French side Bordeaux just last week, finally bolstering their striker options.
However, with reports linking Che Adams with a move away from St Mary’s Stadium, Ralph Hasenhuttl must act quickly with the new Premier League season quickly creeping up on him.
One forward the Saints were linked with late last month is VfB Stuttgart’s Sasa Kalajdzic, who has earned huge praise for his domineering performances in the Bundesliga.
If Hasenhuttl could bring his compatriot into the south coast club, he could form a remarkable young strike partnership that could buoy his side in the league for the foreseeable future.
Sporting director of the German club, Sven Mislintat (via Inside Futbol), recently claimed that the forward had three options, with West Ham United and Manchester United the other two in for Salajdzic.
Whoever is to get the striker will need to fork out €25m (£21m) for his services.
He has received huge praise for his ability both in the air and on the deck, however it is his aerial expertise in particular that could facilitate the silky star that is Mara.
German pundit Marcel Reif claimed that the Austria international would make for an interesting signing for Dortmund while hailing his style of play, saying: “He can do crazy things in the air… but he can also handle the ball. This is a very interesting player that would give something for Dortmund if they play this type of football with good, fast wide play.”
He ranked in the 94th percentile for aerials won last season (via FBref), further supporting how he could link the play perfectly for Hasenhuttl’s men. His preferred 4-4-2 formation also facilitates this notion.
Contributing towards eight goals in just 15 Bundesliga appearances, he would certainly do a good job in replacing the seven goals scored by Adams last season for Southampton.
By adding in Mara’s six goals from Ligue 1, the blow of losing the Scotland international would certainly be softened if both of these forwards were added to the ranks.
There is no doubting that the 6 foot 6 goliath would combine well with the French forward, and the Saints should do all they can to secure this signing from under the noses of their Premier League competitors.
AND, in other news: Southampton could say bye-bye to “terrible” dud by signing “incredible” 19 y/o.