The club have moved to bolster their attacking options.
Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Monaco striker Guido Carrillo for €22m, casting doubt over Shane Long’s future starting opportunities at St Mary’s.
Under-fire manager Mauricio Pellegrino has moved to bolster strike-force after a run of poor form has seen them slip into the Premier League’s relegation zone. With only 24 goals in as many games, the Saints are one of the most goal-shy teams in the league, so buying a striker in January should not come as a surprise, but it may significant implications for Long’s future at the club.
Carrillo is expected to join Southampton on a four-and-a-half year deal with the club putting the funds generated from Virgil van Dijk’s sale to Liverpool to good use. The Argentinian worked with Pellegrino at Estudiantes and has been allowed to leave Monaco after being used mainly as a substitute this season. Further arrivals are expected at Southampton, with Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes being heavily linked in recent days.
BREAKING: @SouthamptonFC agree £19.1m fee with @AS_Monaco for Guido Carrillo – Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/uJiQI8MESh
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 24, 2018
Unfortunately, Long’s extended dry patch in front of goal has highlighted Southampton’s need for striking upgrades. The Republic of Ireland international, who turned 31 on Monday, has found the net just once since last February, leaving the club little option but to dip into the transfer market as they seek to avoid getting sucked further into a relegation dogfight.
But it will come as a relief to the club’s beleaguered fans. Charlie Austin has a good record in front of goal but is injured, while Italy international Manolo Gabbiadini’s form has disappeared after starting impressively following his move from Napoli this time last year.
Long is under contract at St Mary’s until 2020 but may seek a move away if he finds first-team opportunities hard to come by. Assuming Carrillo’s deal goes through, when Austin returns from injury within the next month, it could see Long being pushed down to fourth-choice in attack.
With the recent transfer business suggesting that Pellegrino will place his trust in new arrivals to haul Southampton out of their current slump, it may be time for Long to assess his options and perhaps explore the possibility of a move away to reignite his career. It’s obviously not beneficial for Ireland if he isn’t playing regularly for his club.
The former Hull City and West Brom man is expected to lead the line for Southampton as they take on Watford in the FA Cup fourth-round. It may well turn out to be the last chance he has to convince Pellegrino that he can be a mainstay in this Southampton side. If it doesn’t go well, don’t be surprised if the Gortnahoe native is linked with a move away before the transfer window closes on Wednesday night.
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