According to latest reports, Southampton are ready to spend £50m for Monaco striker Guido Carrillo and Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes as they look to make this a successful week after a hard-fought draw against high-flying Tottenham Hotspur in the weekend.
The Saints are in the relegation zone and have struggled for cohesiveness in the attack and stability at the back. The recent game against Tottenham threw a lot of positives but the fact that they are in the bottom three means Pellegrino still has a lot of work to do.
With the second-half of the season likely to come up with more twists and turns, Pellegrino’s side do need reinforcements and they need them fast.
Southampton have struggled to find the back of the net in the top division this season and have scored merely 24 league goals, i.e., one goal on an average every game. Thus, their recent interest in Carrillo makes sense, particularly after having failed to sign Theo Walcott from Arsenal as Everton lured him to the Goodison Park.
While Carrillo is expected to cost around £20m, the Saints have to smash their current club record fee if they are to sign Promes, who is expected to come at around £30m.
Charlie Austin is out with a hamstring tear and two other strikers who Pellegrino has in the form of Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini have hardly shown any signs of quality or consistency up front. By signing Carrillo, Southampton might be able to inject that cutting edge in their offensive endeavours. He is more than a decent goal-getter but has been overlooked so far this season.
The 26-year-old has been handed merely 2 starts in Ligue 1 this season, apart from 13 appearances off the bench and he has scored 4 goals in the process. The Argentine is arguably entering the peak of his career and understandably, wants more game time. A move to the Premier League should be an appealing prospect for Carrillo.
He is a cunning striker who is really good in the air and shows brilliant movement in the final third. The former Estudiantes forward is quite clinical, holds the ball well up front and has the potential to be an exciting asset for Southampton.
While Carrillo would be a measured choice and is likely to take time to settle up front, Promes will be a more explosive addition. The Dutch winger is a gifted attacker and is a fantastic dribbler and will surely find joy in the Premier League on the wings where he thrives the most. He has scored 58 goals in 115 appearances for Moscow and has also notched up 31 assists. These are extremely impressive stats and something Southampton will hope can be replicated if they are successful in signing the player.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
