Southampton are en route to enduring one of the most difficult summers this time. After they were successful in showing off Liverpool from the back of their star centre-half Virgil van Dijk, it is now their full-back Cedric Soares. And the Portuguese international is a target of a bigger football giant in Europe.
According to reports, last season Champions League finalists Juventus are on to the Southampton right-back as Max Allegri grows desperate to get in a potential replacement for their outgoing star Dani Alves. With Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, willing to reunite with his former player in getting trophies at Etihad, the Brazilian international has decided to request Juventus to let him go.
Juventus are willing to pay something in the region of £15 million for the services of Soares, and obviously, Southampton would want much more than that for their star player if they will at all part ways with him. The 25-year-old has been at St. Mary’s for two years now becoming one of their established players in the process. He made 30 appearances last season and the Saints rely heavily on him.
However, Juventus’ lure is much bigger than Liverpool and if Soares wants a move, there is little Southampton could do. Here are 3 replacements Mauricio Pellegrino could consider bringing in-
Laurent Jans- The Saints have been previously linked with a move for this player and now with Soares possibly moving out, they might reignite their interest in the player yet again. The 24-year-old Luxembourg international currently plays for Waasland-Beveren and his impressive displays made him a hot prospect among certain French clubs. He has a good burst of pace from wide areas and has shown immense control of the ball in pressure situations.
Kyle Walker- A distant shot by all means, but Soares isn’t going to go for cheap and they could get a proper replacement in Walker. Manchester City have been willing to land him for long now, but Tottenham are reluctant to sell one of their main stars to a direct rival. They wouldn’t mind much letting him go to Southampton if they pay the price. It also doesn’t threaten their title challenge. And after successful years in the Premier League, it is time the Saints make a statement of intent.
Adam Smith- The 26-year-old Bournemouth right-back has caught the attention of many clubs with his disciplined displays under Eddie Howe. In the closing stages of the Cherries’ last season, Howe had to play skipper Simon Francis in the centre-half with Tyrone Mings absent. Smith took up the responsibility and played a solid part to keep things intact. He can also play as a right winger as well as a left-back.
