According to reports in Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, via Sport Witness, Southampton are among a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho this summer.
The Portugal international has long been linked with a move to England and now with Saints – along with West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Leicester City, Liverpool and Arsenal – said to have registered an interest in the 25-year-old star, he could finally be on the move to the Premier League.
While the Baggies are understood to be the frontrunners for the midfielder – who helped his nation win the Euro 2016 final against France last year – it is no surprise that Claude Puel is also being linked with the Angolan-born star.
The south coast outfit have struggled to replicate the performances that saw them secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season, and the Frenchman is sure to strengthen his squad during the summer.
Here are three reasons Carvalho could be the missing link for Southampton…
He would bring strength to the midfield
On many occasions this season, Southampton have been far too easily overrun in the middle of the park whether they have been playing the diamond formation or the 4-2-3-1 we have seen more recently deployed by Claude Puel.
Even though Oriol Romeu has probably been one of Saints’ best players this season, the midfield has often looked too lightweight with the likes of Steven Davis, James Ward-Prowse and Jordy Clasie, and Carvalho would bring a new steel to that area.
He would effectively replace Wanyama
Similarly to our previous point, Southampton enjoyed some of their best success in recent years when they had Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin in front of the back four, and that strength and ability to win the ball back from the opposition has become a weak point this term.
Even though Romeu certainly has the strength, he sometimes mirrors Schneiderlin more than Wanyama because of his reading of the game and his technical ability on the ball, and perhaps he needs a strong, defensive midfielder alongside him – enter 6’2” Carvalho.
That's not to say the Portugal international doesn't have quality on the ball either – he has a passing accuracy of 88% for Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga this term.
He can help them at set pieces
As we saw again in the side’s defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, James Ward-Prowse can take some of the best free-kicks and corners in the Premier League but sometimes they are missing the height in the box to make the most of it.
Of course, the same applies from a defensive point of view as well and Saints could certainly do with more height and strength when they are defending set pieces too.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.