Barcelona’s Paco Alcacer has grown frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities and is ready to quit the side for greener pastures. Southampton boss, Mark Hughes wants to bring him to the St Mary’s and give him a similar escape route as was offered to Mario Lemina from Juventus.
The 24-year-old registered only 992 minutes of playing time last term and scored 7 times in 23 games. There is not even a slight hope of him upstaging Luis Suarez to the first team spot unless the Uruguayan faces an injury concern anytime soon.
Such was not the case at Valencia where Alcacer really shone at his last season with 15 goals and in turn earned the £30m switch to the Nou Camp. The Spaniard even got chosen for the Spanish national team after impressing for the Oranges and got capped 13 times.
Now he is not even considered for the senior team and has been dropped from the 23 man squad who will be travelling to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With Alvaro Morata struggling to hit his scoring form at Chelsea, Iago Aspas and the Alcacer’s former teammate, Rodrigo has stolen a spot in the side under Julen Lopetegui.
Still only 24, Alcacer has the opportunity to turn things around for himself and what better way to do so than in the Premier League. One of Europe’s most prestigious proving grounds and the breeding ground for the world’s very best. Alcacer could find himself in a very rewarding position if chooses to play for the Saints in the coming season.
Southampton were among the contested few who were very close to dropping down to the Championship last term but managed to save themselves in the dying moments of the campaign. Mark Hughes managed to pull his team out of the bottom three and secure a safe spot by beating Swansea City in the 37th game week.
However, one of Southampton’s most obvious problems last season was the striker position. First Charlie Austin went down to injury and then Shane Long kept on misfiring from close range. Manuel Gabbiadini was not given enough minutes to prove his worth and the Saints ended up signing Guido Carrillo from AS Monaco.
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The Argentine struck out since his January arrival and now Southampton are in desperate need of a competent number nine. Alcacer probably will be a cemented starter if he is able to replicate his scoring form in the South Coast.
