Alexander Sorloth was left out of RB Leipzig’s DFB Pokal clash this weekend as the Bundesliga giants look to sell the reported Southampton target, according to Kicker.
Of course, Sorloth is not the only Saints-linked centre-forward who was conspicuous by his absence on Saturday.
Adam Armstrong was nowhere to be seen as Blackburn Rovers kicked off the new Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory over last season’s play-off finalists Swansea City.
According to the Athletic, Southampton have agreed a near £15 million fee for the Ewood Park contract rebel, although Premier League rivals Crystal Palace are still very much in the race.
Like Armstrong, Sorloth was forced to watch from the comfort of his own sofa; his teammates thriving in his absence.
Leipzig’s 4-0 cup victory over lower-league Sandhausen came without the former Crystal Palace targetman and, according to Kicker, Sorloth has been ‘written off’ by Die Roten Bullen just a year after joining from Krasnodar for a cool £18 million.
He scored six goals in 37 games during his debut campaign and looked ill at ease with a high-paced, swashbuckling style of football.
“It’s a difficult situation for Alex,” said new Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch, a man who will build on Julian Nagelsmann’s high-pressing blueprint.
Is Sorloth set to join Adam Armstrong at Southampton?
The Athletic reported last week that Sorloth is one of the options being considered by a Southampton side who were forced to sell talisman and top scorer Danny Ings to top-flight rivals Aston Villa.
A difficult spell at the Red Bull Arena is not the only blot on Sorloth’s CV, however.
The Norway international was a major disappointment during his previous Premier League spell at Crystal Palace; that prolific 33-goal season at Trabzonspor very much the exception rather than the rule.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is expected to field Che Adams and Nathan Tella together against Everton on Saturday, having been impressed by the way the two strikers have linked up in pre-season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
