Vitinha hit a hat-trick on his first pre-season outing amid reports claiming Southampton are keen to bring the Braga striker to the Premier League, as reported by O Minho.
Only five teams in England’s top flight scored fewer goals than the Saints in 2021/22. And three of those finished the season in the relegation zone. So it almost goes without saying that Southampton need a striker.
Especially when you factor in the departures of veteran Shane Long and rising star Armando Broja, leaving the far-from-prolific Che Adams and Adam Armstrong as the only centre-forward options at Ralph Hasenhuttl’s disposal with August’s Premier League opener at Tottenham Hotspur now less than a month away.
Whether Southampton are capable of paying the £25 million Braga want Vitinha, however, remains to be seen.
Billionaire investor Dragan Solak has promised that there will be funds available as Hasenhuttl looks to inject some fresh blood into a side in transition (Record). But that does not mean there is enough in the budget for a new record-signing, even if that £25 million fee could be haggled down.
Can Vitinha replace Armando Broja at Southampton?
Clearly, Vitinha would not come cheap. But a 22-year-old number nine with colossal re-sale value would still represent an intelligent – if high-risk – investment. He is, in many ways, the classic Southampton signing too. The fourth new player this summer to arrive under the age of 23.
“He’s very good at attacking space,” says former Braga boss Carlos Carvalhal.
“He finishes spectacularly with his right foot, he’s strong with his left foot, and he’s got a lot of ability with his head. If he continues to evolve like this, he can aspire to reach the (Portuguese) national team.”
Vitinha scored 13 times during his breakthrough campaign in 2021/22. And if this is a sign of things to come, the Portugal U21 international will soon be picking up where he left off.
There were three goals – three very different goals – as Braga kicked off their pre-season preparations with a 6-2 thrashing of Olhanense. Vitinha slotted home beautifully with his right foot before lashing home with his left. Carvalhal was right when he said Vitinha was useful on both feet.
Then came a classic poacher’s tap-in to finish off a good night’s work.
If Southampton were watching, they will have been mightily impressed by the youngster’s awareness, efficiency and expert positional sense.
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