Southampton have reportedly decided to extend the contract of their young forward Sam Gallagher as the St. Mary’s coaching staff is of the opinion that the 21-year-old has a big future at the club. He is most likely to stay in the Premier League and fight for a first team place in the squad.
His last two years, which were loan stints with a Championship club and a League One club, Blackburn Rovers and MK Dons respectively, have created a huge impression, with many sides now willing to land him. Among them, most interests were shown by Championship sides Aston Villa and Sunderland.
However, Southampton makes lots of sense in deciding to retain his services. The South Coast side faces a huge task next season as the squad would again have to go through a managerial change successfully. Although they have quantity up front in Shane Long, Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini, Austin’s season-long injury last term and Long’s frustrating inconsistency have given them reasons enough to make yet another addition.
Jay Rodriguez has reportedly started seeking chances outside as the 27-year-old has run out of patience owing to little first team action. The English forward is in talks with a £12 million move away from the club with West Bromwich Albion in the driving seat.
And given Gallagher’s age, he wouldn’t mind contributing primarily in the EFL Cup and FA Cup fixtures. On loan at Blackburn Rovers, he managed 12 goals and four assists in 47 appearances and although that couldn’t save them from being relegated, he surely impressed.
Sunderland have shown interest in him from last winter when they still had a chance to save their season. And now with Jermain Defoe also gone, they would need Gallagher’s services more than anything. Other Championship sides like Sheffield United and Cardiff City have also shown interest.
Given Steve Bruce’s hasty nature, he has also reportedly placed a £3million offer on the table for the striker. And the Saints could have even considered selling him, had Rodriguez not been a problem. Gallagher’s contract with the Saints was supposed to expire in 2018 and their new deal is expected to be a long one.
An academy product of Plymouth FC, Southampton got him early as a 16-year-old back in 2012. He broke into the first team fast and was sent on loan to MK Dons in 2015. He returned half a season later and Blackburn took him the next year.
The Crediton-born player scored his first professional goal in a 2-0 FA Cup win over Yeovil Town back in 2014, which was followed by a Premier League appearance against Norwich City two months down the line. Southampton are known to bring up some of the top talents around the world and Gallagher could be one.
