‘Good riddance’.
Those were the words that would have come to mind if you’d told Southampton supporters, as another punishing season ended with the most pitiful of whimpers at the King Power Stadium, that many of the players who had flopped so tragically in 2022 would either be pushed out the door or, failing that, relegated to the fringes of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.
Gavin Bazunu, a £12 million signing from Manchester City, should be immediately installed as the new number one at a club who conceded 14 more goals than relegated Burnley last term.
And while Armel Bella-Kotchap is far from the finished article, the hope is that the Paris-born 20-year-old will be an upgrade on the eternally inconsistent Jan Bednarek. Bella-Kotchap’s £9 million arrival from VFL Bochum should also spell the end of Jack Stephens’ Saints career.
Stephens will be a free-agent in a matter of days.
But if there is one area of the Southampton squad that sums up the baffling, feast or famine nature of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s oh-so unpredictable side, it’s arguably in central midfield. On their day, James Ward-Prowse, Stuart Armstrong, Ibrahima Diallo and Oriol Romeu can compete with the best in the division. But, while Ward-Prowse remains a picture of consistency, the same cannot be said of Southampton’s other midfielders.
So signing number four – potentially Bologna’s Mattias Svanberg – could be the most important of the lot. A player with the tenacity of Diallo, and the ball-carrying ability of Armstrong. In addition to three goals and three assists in Serie A last term, Svanberg also accumulated seven yellow cards. A paintbrush and a powertool, rolled into one.
Southampton now most likely to land Mattias Svanberg
“Svanberg’s probably one of the top four or five number eights in Europe,” a source told The i recently. “That’s how good he is.
“He’s a very talented young man. He’s playing for a very defensive Bologna side but he can bring a spark to whichever team he plays in.”
Losing nine of their last 12 games to finish just above the drop zone, Southampton certainly could do with a bit of a ‘spark’. Someone capable of slotting in alongside Ward-Prowse, while providing the craft and consistency so often lacking from this Saints side.
And they could be in luck. According to Corriere dello Sport, via TMW, Svanberg has no interest in extending a Bologna contract that expires in 2023. The Rossoblu will accept cut-price bids of around £6 million, and Svanberg has already confirmed his preference to join a Premier League club when the time to leave Italy arrives.
And Southampton, who are reportedly ready and willing to stump up a seven-figure sum, will face a much clearer path than they might have anticipated. Tottenham are no longer in the race, having signed Yves Bissouma from Brighton for a bargain £25 million. West Ham also appear to be looking elsewhere now. Ditto Everton, Leicester City and an AC Milan side who offered £14 million for Svanberg in a previous transfer window.
According to The i, Manchester City scouted Svanberg in 2021 too. City, however, have since made Kalvin Phillips their top midfield target.
Svanberg wants to play in the Premier League. And Southampton are looking increasingly like the only side capable of making that dream come true.
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