Claude Puel has done a decent job at the St Marys this season after he took over the job from Ronald Koeman at the start of the season. Even after losing a couple of players in the summer, the Saints have a decent chance of finishing in the top half of the table and though it is not an improvement on their previous campaign, they have surely shown some progress.
The manager is now making plans for the summer transfer window and wants to add some quality players to his squad. And the next name that is constantly linked with a move to Southampton is Portuguese star Bruma. According to reports today, Bruma has refrained himself from training with his current club Galatasaray and could be up for sale this summer.
Capable of playing on either wing or also as a lone striker, the 22-year old winger is one of the most exciting stars in Europe at the moment. He has 10 goals and eight assists to his name this season in all competitions and has been consistently productive in front of goal.
He is yet to make a senior appearance for the Portuguese national side but has represented them at every other level and he is not far away from his first national call-up. As versatile as he is, Bruma is a genuine winger. His dribbling abilities along with his blasting pace are his biggest strengths. He does like to beat the backline to the put in crosses from wide areas but he loves to cut in from the flank to make himself space, which allows him to score as well as create chances on a constant basis.
He is a decent passer of the ball and is adept at using his strength for hold up play, two attributes that will attract Puel at the St Marys. He is still learning the trade and is a bit weak facing his own goal. He is also a liability in the air but more often than not, makes up for it with his smart movements.
Nathan Redmond remains the only genuine winger at the St Marys this season, with the likes of Sofiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic, Jay Rodriguez and even Shane Long having to deputise on the wing regularly. Puel will know the value of adding an explosive winger like Bruma to his attack and will hope to do all it takes to land him this summer.
However, he is reportedly looking forward to a union with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford so the Southampton manager will have to act quickly if he wants Bruma’s services next season.
