RB Leipzig gave Alexander Sorloth permission to skip training today as the reported Southampton target closes in on a move to the Premier League, according to Kicker.
Talk about unfinished business.
While the narrative surrounding Sorloth is he was a £9 million disaster at Crystal Palace, some context is required.
The Norway international started just four Premier League games under Roy Hodgson, the average length of his appearance just 33 minutes.
So if Sorloth is offered a second chance in the Premier League before this transfer window shuts, the 6ft 4in target man would return with a point to prove and the desire to prove his doubters wrong.
Alexander Sorloth has unfinished business at Southampton
According to The Athletic, Southampton looked into the prospect of signing Sorloth following the departure of talisman Danny Ings to Aston Villa.
And while Adam Armstrong – diminutive, intelligent and technically superb – has looked every inch Ings’ successor, there remains room in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad for another centre-forward.
Sorloth would give Southampton something different too – a genuine Plan B.
He’s an old-school target man at his most effective attacking crosses, in stark contrast to the speed and skill of Che Adams, Theo Walcott and Nathan Tella.
Sorloth endured a miserable debut season at RB Leipzig last term, struggling to adapt to the club’s high-pressing, fast-paced approach.
Head coach Jesse Marsch won’t stand in the striker’s way should someone come knocking with an offer in the region of £13 million.
“He wants away. We have talked about it,” Sorloth’s father told Dagbladet recently. “He wants to move on.”
According to Kicker, Leipzig gave Sorloth permission to skip training today as the out-of-favour frontman closes on a move away from the Red Bull Arena.
Real Sociedad have also been linked, so too a Stuttgart side that could be without 6ft 7in goal-machine Sasa Kalajdzic until 2021 because of injury.
Southampton, meanwhile, are also closing in on a deal to sign Torino centre-back Lyanco.
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