da fezbet： According to reports in the Sunday People, via the Daily Star, Southampton are keen to sign Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore this summer.
da lvbet： Despite impressing during a loan spell with Dutch giants Ajax – who will face Manchester United in the Europa League final later this month – the 21-year-old could leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal as he believes he will struggle to get regular first team under Antonio Conte.
Despite scoring four goals for the Blues last season and featuring in several pre-season matches following the Italian’s arrival in west London, the Burkina Faso international was sent to the Netherlands to gain more experience.
Meanwhile, Saints boss Claude Puel is keen to strengthen his squad this summer as they will once again look to push for a top-six finish next term with no European football as a distraction, and he will have been impressed with the performances of the Blues loanee.
Here are three reasons Southampton should go all out to sign Traore this summer…
They may need a new forward
While Manolo Gabbiadini has almost cemented his spot in attack next season, the futures of some of Southampton’s other attacking players are far less certain.
After struggling to cement a regular starting spot this term under Claude Puel, both Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long will surely be considering their futures on the south coast despite the former scoring one and assisting the other in his side’s 2-1 win against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Whether top goalscorer Charlie Austin will be content with a likely spot on the substitutes’ bench also remains to be seen, meaning bringing in a forward could be a priority this summer.
He would bring goals
Having scored 13 goals and provided a further six assists in 38 appearances in all competitions for Ajax this season, the 21-year-old has shown that he is a real threat in the opposition penalty area and it would be much needed for Southampton.
Puel’s men have scored just 41 goals in 36 Premier League matches this term and their poor finishing has often meant that they have failed to pick up the results that their performances have perhaps deserved.
His price tag
According to reports in L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, Traore could leave Chelsea for around £8.5m this summer and it is a price that Southampton can’t fail to ignore in the modern day age of expensive transfer deals.
The Saints haven’t been known to spend huge amounts on one player despite the ever-increasing television money they are receiving, and they will certainly have the promising 21-year-old on their list of targets if he is available for less than £10m.
However, the fact that Premier League rivals Everton and Stoke City are also interested could perhaps create a bidding war for the impressive young forward.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.