Schalke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is a target for Southampton.
According to The Mirror, Southampton have joined Stoke City in the race to sign Schalke attacker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The Saints have been solid during Claude Puel’s first season in charge of the club, and whilst their defence – led by the impressive Virgil van Dijk – has impressed, they have been poor in attack.
Southampton manager Claude Puel
Southampton have scored just 13 goals in 14 games this season, with only three teams – promoted sides Burnley, Hull City and Middlesbrough – scoring fewer so far this term.
Charlie Austin has thrived with six of those 13 goals, but Puel and the Saints fans are still waiting for the likes of Sofiane Boufal, Nathan Redmond and Dusan Tadic to chip in with goals on a regular basis.
Schalke’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting celebrates
With Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long also misfiring, Southampton may move for a new striker in the January transfer window – and The Mirror report that Schalke’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is now a target.
Choupo-Moting, 27, hit 22 goals in 82 games for Mainz to earn a 2014 move to Schalke, and with 19 goals in his first two seasons, the Cameroon international became a key player at the Veltins Arena.
This term, Choupo-Moting has scored three goals and notched three assists for Schalke in all competitions, and has predominantly played on the left wing, but can also play as a central striker too.
Schalke’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in action
Now, it’s claimed that Southampton want to lure him to England, and his contract situation makes him very appealing. Choupo-Moting’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning that he could either sign a pre-contract agreement to join on a free transfer next summer, or he could be available in a cut-price deal next month.
Schalke lost defender Joel Matip to Liverpool in a pre-contract agreement earlier this year and could now do the same with Choupo-Moting, though Southampton will face competition as Stoke City are reportedly keen too.
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