The Athletic’s Southampton correspondent Carl Anka has named which player could be deemed as a reasonable target for the Saints this summer.
January has passed and Ralph Hasenhuttl brought just one new face to St Mary’s in Kyle Walker-Peters, who arrived at St Mary’s on a loan deal until the end of the season.
However, there has been little talk of any potential arrivals for the summer window.
Perhaps that is why one supporter asked Anka – entirely hypothetically – which Premier League player Southampton have a reasonable chance of capturing, and his answer was particularly intriguing.
What did he say?
When partaking in a Q&A session on Friday, Anka was asked: “Totally hypothetical – name a PL player that Saints could have a reasonable chance to sign in the summer, who you feel would be a good signing. Note: KWP doesn’t count.”
To which he replied: “Emiliano Buendía is like a discount Bernardo Silva and I think A LOT of teams are eyeing him up for when Norwich go down.”
Would be an excellent signing
The diminutive Argentine is enjoying a fantastic debut campaign in England’s top-flight, despite playing for a struggling side – Norwich find themselves bottom of the table on 18 points before their game against Liverpool kicked off this weekend.
Despite that, the 23-year-old has registered an impressive seven assists, the joint-second most in the Premier League behind Kevin De Bruyne and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Additionally, Buendia averages 3.5 dribbles per game and 2.8 key passes per game, proving to be a very effective top-flight performer despite his lack of experience at this level and also his lack of experience in football as a whole, such is his young age.
Calling Premier League experts ONLY: Which year were these top flight clubs formed?
On this basis, whoever gets the Norwich No.17 this summer has done well for themselves – if that club turns out to be Southampton, then they can pat themselves on the back.
In other news, Carl Anka has revealed the chances of a St Mary’s return for Adam Lallana…