After a run of mediocre form, Mauricio Pellegrino’s Southampton find themselves in the drop zone, a point away from safety. The manager has surely identified the problems in the squad and is expected to make some additions to the first team, to help them through to safety and ease their top-flight survival.
This has seen the Saints linked with some of the most exciting stars in Europe and one player they are reportedly close to signing is Dutch star Quincy Promes.
According to the Telegraph, Southampton are now planning to spend up to £50m before the deadline day this month. They are desperate to land AS Monaco star Guido Carrillo and Spartak Moscow youngster Quincy Promes. It is understood that they are ready to make an official approach for both the players.
While Monaco have already rejected advances for Moscow, Pellegrino is confident of landing the Dutch winger. But what will he add to the squad at St Mary’s?
A product of the academy at Twente, Promes has always been productive in front of goal. He spent two seasons at Twente one of which was on loan at Go Ahead Eagles. In these two years, he managed 24 goals in 66 League appearances, before he was snapped up by Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.
Since 2014, where he immediately cemented a place in the first team, Promes has been one of the most important clogs in the squad, that has helped them to some serious domestic success in recent years. He has been a transfer target for English club Liverpool for a while now but Southampton are now ready to bring him to England.
A skilful player with gifted technique, the 26-year old is one of the hardest players to mark on the wing. He can play on either flank and is comfortable beating his man and crossing constantly. He can also break defences with short passes and has a great eye for goal, which has seen him score 53 goals in 101 league appearances in Russia, including 10 goals and six assists in 16 starts this season.
He may not be an instant hit in a new league in England but has all the attributes to walk into the first team at Southampton. Pellegrino will be disappointed with the form of one Nathan Redmond, who is the only outright winger in the squad.
James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic, Sofiane Boufal, and Steven Davis have all had chances on the wing and the lack of width in the attack has surely affected their output in front of goal. Promes not only solves this problem but will add creativity to ruthlessness to the squad, which has been missing this season.
Southampton are in desperate need of some inspiration and Promes is a superb option for the manager.
