The Saints boss says it’s difficult to make long-term signings in the January transfer window and insists he will not be rushed into a panic buy.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed that he is on the lookout for new signings this January but insists he only wants a player for the longer term.
The winter transfer window has been deemed by some fans and pundits as the domain of many panic buys and rushed signings, and the Austrian coach is firmly against this concept.
Hasenhuttl was speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game away at Leicester City as Manolo Gabbiadini’s departure edged closer.
The Italian striker is set to return to his home country with Sampdoria, according to Sky Sports News, while the Daily Mail has speculated that defender Wesley Hoedt could also leave.
With Southampton languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League, one school of thought would be for Hasenhuttl to bring in multiple players in a bid to freshen things up and hopefully turn the club’s form around.
However, he stated that finding talent for the long term in January is difficult, hence why he will take a more prudent, pragmatic approach to business in the present window, as well as avoiding the pitfall of being hurried and ending up making panic buys.
“We are looking to bring someone in this transfer period, but it is not easy because in winter you must find a guy who not only for a short-time makes us better, but also for long term,” he told Sky Sports News.
“We don’t want to be hurried. We will take time, think about it and if you are 100 per cent sure this guy makes us better, then take the decision, not earlier.”
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