da dobrowin： According to German outlet WESER-KURIER, Southampton are interested in signing Werder Bremen forward Milot Rashica, while European champions Liverpool are also interested in the attacker.
da spicy bet： One presumes that it will be difficult for the Saints to compete with Jurgen Klopp’s side in the market given their status as a footballing powerhouse right now, although if they did manage to land the Kosovo international, he looks tailor-made to be the perfect partner for Danny Ings.
His potential arrival may also presumably see Shane Long become surplus to requirements.
Forget Shane Long’s new contract
At 33 years of age, it goes without saying that Long’s best years are probably behind him as his footballing career at the top level comes to a close.
However, for some reason, Southampton are believed to be in talks with the Republic of Ireland international over a new two-year contract, which would see him celebrate his 35th birthday at St Mary’s.
Seeing as he has only netted one Premier League goal this term, it seems pointless to offer him such a lengthy extension at his age – signing Rashica would be a much better option, as his form so far this term is eye-catching to say the least.
Perfect partner for Danny Ings
The 23-year-old – notably ten years younger than Long – would represent an excellent long-term replacement for the former Reading striker.
Rashica has netted seven goals in the Bundesliga this season, while also registering three assists, whereas his overall statistics are impressive. He averages 3.1 shots and 2.3 dribbles per game in Germany’s top-flight this term, while also appearing in a number of attacking positions – he has made five outings at centre-forward, 11 on the left and three as a right attacking-midfielder.
His versatility and output in any position he features in seems like it would make him the ideal foil to Ings, who is much more regimented in his location on the pitch having exclusively appeared in the centre of attack this term.
Premier League experts will get full marks: The ultimate quiz on top flight transfer flops…
Ralph Hasenhuttl likes to play with two strikers up front, so with Rashica buzzing around the final third and taking up a number of positions to feed the clinical 18-goal Ings – who doesn’t do as much work elsewhere with only 1.1 dribbles per game – it feels like the pair of them would compliment each other well.
In other news, two January transfer targets for Southampton have had their contracts extended…