Javier Hernandez could find his time at West Ham United coming to an end – the Saints should pounce.
Guido Carrillo has been left out of Southampton’s squad for their pre-season tour of China, reports the Daily Mail – a move that surely means his stint at the club will end this summer.
The Argentine arrived in January when Mauricio Pellegrino was still manager but never looked likely to secure a spot in Southampton’s side.
Logic would suggest that Mark Hughes will now be on the lookout for a forward, especially after the seasons had by Charlie Austin and Shane Long that saw the team struggle for goals.
Southampton created more chances than anyone outside of the top six last season, however, they scored the fifth least goals – there does seem to be an obvious solution there.
And that solution could be waiting in the Premier League already as an opportunity looks to be opening up for one of the best pure finishers around.
Javier Hernandez moved to West Ham a year ago but found himself featuring less as the season went on, and now, with reports that the club are moving for Nice’s Alassane Plea, it looks like the Hammers are ready to replace the Mexican.
If that indeed the case, Southampton should move for the 30-year-old as it would give them the experience, know-how, and predatory instincts that they sorely missed last season in one signing.
Hernandez has scored 36 goals over the last three seasons, despite not playing as many minutes as he could have, and is surely Southampton’s best chance of making real progress this summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
