The Southampton striker Michael Obafemi may have been wishing that Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion had pursued their apparent interest in signing him.
Obafemi caught the eye with goals against Chelsea and Manchester United last season and was a target for Aston Villa and West Brom in the summer transfer window, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claimed the local rivals could have followed through with a firm bid had they received any indication that Southampton were ‘open to doing business’ for the Irishman, for whom they were likely to want a fee of around £10 million.
But Obafemi remained at St Mary’s, as Villa and West Brom strengthened their options through the additions of Ollie Watkins and Karlan Grant, respectively.
And while the latter pair have made bright starts to their Midlands spells, Obafemi has played just 19 minutes of football this season – in league and cup.
Speaking via Hampshire Live this week, the Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl explained why the 20-year-old hasn’t featured in his plans.
“The problem with Michael was always he would play one good game and then fall back a little bit and was not professional enough to force or keep his position in the team or in the squad,” he said.
“This makes it too easy for others to go above him. I think this is what he must learn.
“Once he is in the squad, don’t give it away so easily and try to be aggressive and dangerous in front of the goal.
“I think this is something he misses, but he’s young, he still has to learn a lot and this is a kind of mentality but is also a kind of quality.”
Danny Ings’ absence could see Obafemi’s chances increase in the next four-to-six weeks.
But if they don’t then he may be left wondering what might have been, with Aston Villa and West Brom.
Southampton fans – should Hasenhuttl bring back the summer Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion ‘target’?
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