Southampton and Burnley should consider a swap deal involving two of their strikers.
Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium
While the Saints enjoyed a fairly respectable campaign last season, one that culminated in their eighth placed finish in the Premier League table, their football was rather dull at times, and the addition of a pacey striker will be an absolute must this summer, in order for them to make genuine progress next term.
With this in mind, they should consider entering the race for Clarets hitman Andre Gray, who has been linked with a move to a whole host of clubs this summer, including Newcastle United (the Chronicle).
And Southampton could steal a march on their competitors by offering Burnley Shane Long as part of the deal.
The 25-year-old former Brentford man has cut a controversial figure during his time at Turf Moor, but has proven his class on the football pitch, scoring nine goals in 32 Premier League outings, playing in what was one of the most defence-minded teams in the division.
His blistering pace means that opposition defenders cannot push too high up the pitch, for fear of leaving a wide open space in behind them for him to exploit.
This leads to more space in the middle of the park, from where some of the Saints more technically gifted players could flourish, if Gray was leading the line for them.
His attributes would compliment those of Manolo Gabbiadini perfectly, with the Italian most effective when operating in and around the 18 yard box.
And whilst Dyche will surely be desperate to keep hold of the forward, he might just be tempted into doing business if Southampton were to offer Long, 30, in return.
Burnley’s Andre Gray celebrates
The hard-working Irishman is the kind of player who will happily run into the channels for the entirety of the game, for the good of his team, and that kind of tireless, selfless attitude could be hugely important to Burnley – a team who rely so much on a strong team ethos.
Gray would arguably be worth more than Long, so the south coast outfit would most likely have to offer the Clarets a transfer fee combined with the Republic of Ireland international, if they are to bring the Burnley man to St Mary’s.
And it could turn out to be a transfer of real significance, for both sides.
Southampton’s Shane Long
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