Southampton are interested in securing the services of Atletico Madrid winger Nicolas Gaitan. Some sources are claiming that the Saints are among a whole host of Premier League clubs looking to sign the Argentine international. Mauricio Pellegrino’s side are set to battle it out with Everton, Watford and West Ham United in pursuit of the 29-year-old who is currently out of action due to a muscle injury.
Gaitan has fallen down the pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano and has found regular game time limited under manager Diego Simeone this season. The Argentine winger has been told that he can depart the club this month in search of more first-team football with the Premier League a possible destination for the ex Benfica player. According to reports in the Spanish press, Everton, Southampton, Watford and West Ham are all keeping tabs on the player and trying to bring him into English football. All of his potential suitors have been notified about his availability in the January transfer window with the player’s agent confessing that his client will ‘undoubtedly’ leave in an interview last month.
In an interview with Foot Mercato. Gaitan’s agent, Jose Iribarren confirmed interest from Premier League clubs and said,
“I can tell you English clubs are interested,”
“Yes, he’ll undoubtedly leave Atletico in January. He has a lot of concrete offers. Nicolas was an important player when he played in Argentina, at Benfica, and with the national team.
“He can’t continue in these conditions. If he can’t play a string of matches, nor win the coach’s trust. A player wants to play. We’re going to see with Atletico which solution we can find.”
Southampton are currently sitting in 17th place in the Premier League table, with just goal difference separating them from 18th placed Stoke City who are in the dreaded drop zone. The Saints are in dire need of reinforcements after parting ways with their star defender Virgil Van Dijk who signed for Liverpool earlier this month for a reported fee of £75m. The Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino can use some of that money to bring in some quality players this month which might help them in their quest to avoid a potential relegation to the Championship at the end of the season.
It is being reported that a permanent move is possible for Gaitan if a bid in the region of £17.5 m is made during this transfer window.
Gaitan will be a perfect fit at the St Mary’s Stadium linking up with the likes of Shane Long, Charlie Austin and Dusan Tadic as part of the Saints attack. The Argentine has appeared in 12 matches for Atletico Madrid this season but is yet to find the back of the net. He rose to prominence in Portugal where he put in some dazzling performances for Benfica. The Argentine has 41 goals and 88 assists to his name in 253 appearances for the reigning Portuguese champions. It remains to be seen whether Gaitan can overcome his recent injury concerns and be an asset to Southampton if they are able to fend off stiff competition from fellow Premier League rivals in pursuit of the player.
