Southampton are keeping tabs on the progress of Östersunds FK forward Saman Ghoddos. According to recent reports, the Saints are among a whole host of clubs looking to seal a move for the Iran international following his eye-catching Europa League displays versus Arsenal this year. It is being reported that scouts from West Ham United, Leicester City, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion have been monitoring the player as he set up both goals in Ostersunds’ shocking 2-1 second leg win over the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night in the Europa League.
Ghoddos put in a superb performance which caught the eye in the first leg meeting between the two teams in Sweden earlier this month. His display on the night won praise from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who was quoted to have said, “Technically and tactically, I was impressed by him,”
The 24-year-old has found the back of the net four times while creating four assists in Ostersunds’ Europa League campaign, where they secured progression into the group stages of the competition via the qualifying rounds and to the surprise of many, progressed through the group stages to set up a clash with Arsenal in the round-of-32.
It is understood that Ghoddos’ agent, Ferhat Cifici, was in London to witness Östersunds FK’s encounter with Arsenal and has confirmed reports that there was interest in the player, but he refused to disclose the teams who are chasing after his client’s signature. A number of European clubs have been alerted by Ghoddos’ rapid emergence with Celta Vigo and Hoffenheim also expressing interest in securing his services. Ostersunds are reportedly aware of the increasing interest in Ghoddos and are bracing themselves for offers when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season.
Southampton are currently struggling in the Premier League and find themselves in 16th place with just 10 league games remaining in this campaign. The Saints are in dire need of some favourable results in the coming weeks following a last-ditch 1-1 draw versus Burnley at the Turf Moor on Saturday. It seems highly likely that they will be dragged into a relegation dogfight going into the final stretch of the season. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men have struggled to score enough goals during the course of this season so the potential addition of a player of the calibre of Ghoddos will undoubtedly bolster their attacking options ahead of the new campaign.
Ghoddos has featured in 14 matches for Östersunds FK this season, scoring 4 goals and creating 5 assists in all competitions. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the Iranian forward and whether the Saints can succeed in luring him to ply his trade at the St. Mary’s Stadium next summer.
