Report: Fulham target Ludwig Augustinsson as Southampton make Matt Targett decision

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Southampton are reportedly hoping to keep Matt Targett now, ruining the hopes of newly promoted Premier League rivals Fulham.

Fulham have been linked with a number of left-backs already this summer. And there is now a new name in the frame.

According to TEAMtalk, the newly promoted Cottagers have contacted Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen to enquire about the possibility of signing Swedish international Ludwig Augustinsson.

Augustinsson moved to Bremen from FC Copenhagen in January 2017 and has come on leaps and bounds since then, replacing Marcus Olsson as Sweden’s first-choice left-back and winning his 16^th cap in their World Cup opener, the 1-0 win against South Korea on Monday.

And Fulham’s interest appears to be the result of Southampton’s decision to hold onto Matt Targett, according to TEAMtalk. Targett moved to Craven Cottage on loan in January and was fantastic as Slavisa Jokanovic’s side ended their four-year exile from the Premier League by beating Aston Villa in the play-off final at Wembley.

Fulham were obviously keen to sign the left-back permanently but it seems he now has earned himself a future at St Mary’s.

Targett’s potential replacement Augustinsson is a defensively minded full-back by trade and his arrival should not worry fans concerned about the potential exit of Ryan Sessegnon.

Augustinsson’s rather pragmatic approach should allow the teenage wonderkid more freedom to express himself on the left without fears about a defensive vulnerability.