Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl admits he knows nothing of reports linking the Premier League outfit with a move for alleged Leicester City target Zakaria Aboukhlal, speaking to the Daily Echo.
Come July 2023, both Theo Walcott and Moi Elyounoussi will be on their way out of St Mary’s unless contract extensions can be agreed.
And, with the likes of Moussa Djenepo, Che Adams and Adam Armstrong lacking consistency in the final third, it should come as no surprise that Southampton are already reportedly planning to bring in attacking recruits in the New Year.
Calciomercato say that the Saints, like Leicester City, are keeping tabs on Toulouse’s skilful Morocco international Aboukhlal. Reports of Southampton’s interest are news to Hasenhuttl, however; the former RB Leipzig boss sounding non-plussed when asked to comment on the validity of those links.
Hasenhuttl distances Southampton from Zakaria Aboukhlal
“Who?” asked Hasenhuttl, before being pressed further on a man who has caught the eye since moving to France in a £2 million deal from Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar a few months ago.
“No, never heard. There are a lot of reports out there for players,” the Austrian adds. “But we have no transfer window now, so it surprises me a little bit that it’s coming up now! No.”
Aboukhlal already appears to be putting concerns over his end-product behind him across the Channel; notching three goals and three assists for Toulouse. In fact, the versatile wideman has as many goals and assists in just 12 Ligue 1 games as he managed across 34 during his final season at AZ Alkmaar.
Southampton also continue to be mentioned as a potential destination for PSV Eindhoven talisman Cody Gakpo. Per Fabrizio Romano, however, PSV expect the Dutchman to join a more high-profile club these days. Gakpo has enjoyed a remarkable start to the new season.
“I was close to leaving (in the summer),” the £40 million-rated Gakpo tells The Times. “I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United.
“In the end, the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame for me and my development. Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“(In the final week of the window) I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton. In the end, I stayed. But it was a stressful period.”
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