Southampton they are now in talks to sign a new midfielder for Ivan Juric, according to a new report, as they look to pull off a miraculous escape from relegation in the second half Premier League season.
Southampton on their way back to the championship
After beating Leeds United to the bottom of the Premier League last season, Southampton are on course for an immediate return to the Championship.
The firing Russell Martin and the subsequent arrival of Ivan Jurić led to an improvement in their performances, but their results remain as worrying as they have been throughout the season. The 3-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest was their 18th of the season, while they have won just once.
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To make their situation a stark reality, they have scored the fewest and conceded the most goals in the top flight this season, and to reach the widely accepted figure of 36 points that would be considered a certainty, they will need to win 10 of their last 16 games.
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Southampton’s next five games in the Premier League |
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Newcastle United (Home) |
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Ipswich Town (away) |
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Bournemouth (Home) |
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Brighton (house) |
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Chelsea (away) |
As a result, January additions are needed now, but with one eye firmly on next season’s Championship campaign, which seems the most likely outcome at the end of the campaign.
For this purpose, The Saints have agreed to sign Albert Gronbaek from Ligue 1 Rennes on an initial loan that includes a €15m buyout option at the end of the campaign. The Dane only arrived in Rennes in the summer, but is ready for a quick departure after handing in a transfer request to the French side.
He could now be joined by one of his team-mates on the south coast as Jurić looks for affordable quality to bolster his squad.
Southampton in negotiations for a “monster” midfielder
This is reported by the French newspaper L’Equipe Southampton remain in talks to sign Gronbaek’s teammate Glen Kamara from Rennes this winter as they look to add more muscle to their midfield.
The Finnish international midfielder only moved to Rennes this summer, leaving Leeds United after Southampton’s play-off final win against Yorkshire, but has struggled to establish himself in Jorge Sampaoli’s side and was frozen out of the squad after the shock cup defeat at ESTAC Troyes.
It has been reported that “Rennes want a simple transfer for the player as he will soon reach the loan limit”, and while no fee has been mentioned, it is unlikely to be much less than the €10m they signed him for just a few months ago.
Kamara still has three and a half years to work on his A £30,000-a-week contract in Francebut he now seems almost certain to cut it short this winter due to interest from across Europe in his services.
The Boot Room reports that the Saints are strongand the south coast side remain in talks over Kamara following a deal for Gronbaek.
Although he struggled in France, legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard labeled the 29-year-old “a monster in the middle of the park” during his time working with Kamara at Rangers, and the midfielder also has plenty of experience in the Championship should Southampton find themselves there next season. Could it be a smart deal for the Saints?
