Southampton have got ‘a decent amount of money’ to spend on a new striker this summer, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
The Saints struggled in the final stages of late season and securing a regular source of goals could be key to improving their fortunes when the new campaign gets underway.
What is the latest news involving Southampton?
Last August, Southampton sold Danny Ings to Aston Villa in a £25 million deal after he entered the final 12 months of his contract, relinquishing their biggest goal threat.
Ings had found the back of the net on 46 occasions in 100 appearances for the south coast club, and Adam Armstrong and Armando Broja were tasked with replacing that output.
However, the duo failed to do so. Armstrong scored just twice in 23 Premier League outings following his £15m switch from Blackburn Rovers, although Broja fared slightly better.
The Chelsea loanee added a further six top-flight strikes in 32 games as Southampton ended the 2021/22 season as the joint 14th lowest scorers in the division.
Broja’s return to his parent club has left Southampton in dire need of reinforcements in the final third of the pitch and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will surely be prioritising that position next.
What has Crook said about Southampton?
Southampton have already spent around £40m on the likes of Gavin Bazunu, Joe Aribo and Armel Bella-Kotchap, but Crook believes there’s plenty of funds left for Hasenhuttl to strengthen his forward line.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “They have got a decent amount of money, I think, to spend on a striker.
“So, that's the next priority because they've strengthened just about everywhere else; goalkeeper, centre-back, midfield, out wide with Aribo. So, they do want a centre-forward, they obviously had Broja, who was on loan there last season.”
Who could Southampton sign?
The Athletic revealed back in May that Southampton were interested in Manchester City’s Liam Delap, who has risen through the ranks of the club’s academy.
Hasenhuttl has already enticed Bazunu and Romeo Lavia away from the Etihad Stadium this summer as they search for regular first-team opportunities, while Joe Shields has also made the switch to become the head of senior recruitment at St. Mary’s.
Therefore, a move for Delap appears to be on the cards for Southampton, and they will surely be hoping the teenager decides to follow in his former teammates’ footsteps.