With 12 goals to his name for Malaga, Sandro Ramirez has piqued the interest of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Few clubs utilise the transfer market as intelligently as Southampton. Oriol Romeu for Victor Wanyama, Manolo Gabbiadini for Graziano Pelle, Nathan Redmond for Sadio Mane, the South Coast club once again softened the blow of potentially devastating departures by bringing in a string of affordable, astute replacements last summer.
Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that they could throw themselves whole-heartedly into the race for one of Europe’s top bargains. According to Marca, Malaga forward Sandro Ramirez has a release clause of just £6 million in his contract and Southampton could be more than willing to trigger it.
The 21-year-old may not have made the grade at Barcelona after emerging through the infamous La Masia academy but, with the much-vaunted MSN in place, that is hardly a criticism.
But, in his first season at Malaga, Sandro has shown why he is one of Spain’s most exciting attacking talents. Often drifting in from the left onto his favoured right foot, he has plundered 12 La Liga goals for a struggling side and netted a stunning brace in Tuesday’s 2-0 win at doomed Granada.
Therefore, he would be a welcome addition to a Southampton side with just 39 goals in 32 Premier League games this season.
Though the Saints will not be short of competition. Sport claims that Tottenham Hotspur are also interested, with links dating back two years to when the striker was still a teenager hoping for chances in the Barca first-team.
Spurs are still on the lookout for a back-up to Harry Kane with Vincent Janssen (below) struggling to convince. And the versatile Sandro, an emphatic finisher blessed with excellent vision and technical ability, could succeed where the Dutchman failed.
Therefore, this could be another test of Southampton’s ability to lure exciting young players to St Marys.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
