For Southampton boss Nathan Jones, the task is crystal clear. The Premier League’s bottom club must emerge from the January transfer window stronger than they went into it.
“There are certain positions we want to strengthen in,” Jones tells the Daily Echo. “Because we need help and competition in those positions.
“(Centre-back) is one position where we would like to strengthen in. It’s not going to be a super busy January. But we would like to make sure the squad we come out of January with is better.”
Much, of course, will depend on the budget handed down to Jones by Southampton’s owners, Sport Republic. Big-money transfers – like the £44 million deal relegation rivals Wolves struck to bring in Brazil international Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid – are hardly realistic.
But Jones, having taken an unfancied Luton Town side to the Championship play-offs on a limited budget last season, knows from experience that even a limited budget can go a long way if spent wisely.
Mislav Orsic is a prolific goalscorer from out wide
At 30 years of age, Mislav Orsic would not be a long-term solution to Southampton’s goalscoring problems. But the Saints need goals and they need them now. In that sense, this may be the ideal time to break from tradition. Southampton rarely sign players the wrong side of 30 but Orsic, a member of Croatia’s World Cup semi-final squad, possesses a far superior goalscoring record than anyone currently in Jones’ squad, and can potentially be snapped up for a bargain fee of £7 million.
Dinamo Zagreb, Sportske Novosti suggest, will not stand in Orsic’s way; a gesture of goodwill after their talismanic left-winger turned down Burnley 12 months ago. Orsic, an explosive finisher who thrives on the big occasion (just ask Jose Mourinho) hit the target 20 times in 2021/22 alone, and would represent a clear upgrade on the likes of Moi Elyounoussi, Theo Walcott, Moussa Djenepo and Adam Armstrong.
Good time Charly
Southampton are also in talks with Racing Club playmaker Carlos ‘Charly’ Alcarez; a £12 million bid under consideration (The Sun). Ten years Orsic’s junior, Alcaraz is almost the definition of the classic Southampton signing. He’s technically gifted, affordable and brimming with potential.
Alcarez can play anywhere in midfield, and would bring bite and creativity to a Southampton engine room high on energy but lacking in inspiration. Alvarez scored nine times during his breakthrough season at Racing Club, and has a habit of breaking into the penalty area to finish off chances.
Orsic and Alcaraz, should both players arrive, will provide Southampton with far more of a threat in deeper and wider areas. Given that Che Adams is their top scoring centre-forward with just four, however, it should come as no surprise that a new number nine is also on Jones’ January wishlist.
Welcome back to the prodigal son?
Talksport believe that Danny Ings – up for sale at Aston Villa just 17 months after arriving for a cool £25 million – may be offered a return to his old stomping ground. Ings was prolific at Southampton but has found goals far harder to come by at Villa.
But Lorient’s Terem Moffi – while admittedly more of a risk – could appeal more to the Saints bosses due to his youth and potential affordability. Moffi, seven years younger than Ings, will command much lower wages than the England international. Only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, meanwhile, have scored more than him in France’s top flight this season (Athletic). He’d arrive at St Mary’s in the form of his life.
Back to Bednarek
Ings is not the only former player who may return to the banks of the Solent this month. Southampton, per The Athletic, could re-call Jan Bednarek from his forgettable loan spell at Aston Villa.
Bednarek hasn’t been missed too much, given the form of Mohammed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap. But you cannot say the same of Oriol Romeu. One of Southampton’s toughest, most experienced and most consistent players created a major leak in the Saints’ hull when he left for Girona over the summer. But, alongside Alcaraz, Southampton could dip into the South American market for another low-cast solution with Sao Paulo open to selling 20-year-old battleaxe Pablo Maia for £9 million.
Maia is aggressive, energetic, and suits Jones’ tactical approach down to the ground. He may be one to consider in July rather than January, however; Maia’s agent playing down the potential of a winter departure.
Parma’s Jayden Oosterwolde is another in Southampton’s sights. There are far more pressing concerns right now, however, than signing a new left-back.
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