Southampton are reportedly poised to sell attacker Jay Rodriguez this summer.
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez
According to The Chronicle, the representatives of Southampton attacker Jay Rodriguez have contacted Newcastle United about the possibility of a summer move.
Rodriguez, 27, joined the Saints from Burnley back in 2011, and with 26 goals in his first two seasons with the club, he became an England international and was vying for a place at the 2014 World Cup.
However, Rodriguez suffered a major knee injury just months before the tournament, and he has found returning to first-team football difficult ever since.
After missing the entire 2014-15 season, Rodriguez hit three goals in 16 games last term, and has notched five goals in 23 appearances this term – though only nine of those games have been starts.
General view inside St. James’ Park
Now, with competition for places from the likes of Nathan Redmond, Dusan Tadic, Sofiane Boufal, Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini, Rodriguez could look to leave this summer in order to pursue first-team football.
The Chronicle report that Rodriguez’s representatives have been in contact with Newcastle United about the possibility of a summer deal, with the Magpies looking to strengthen their squad this summer.
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez scores against Middlesbrough
Rafael Benitez’s men have won promotion back to the Premier League, and whilst he has Dwight Gayle at his disposal, questions linger over the futures of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy.
Rodriguez, who can also play out wide, fits the bill as a player with a proven Premier League record, and whilst his injury has damaged his career, this should be a move that Newcastle strongly consider this summer.
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