Southampton are eyeing a move for SL Benfica forward Haris Seferovic; it has been claimed.
According to Record, Southampton are ready to rival Everton in the pursuit of Haris Seferovic this summer. The Benfica forward has attracted a lot of interest across Europe, having ended the campaign as the top-scorer of the Portuguese top flight.
Southampton are believed to be one of those clubs keen to secure the services of Seferovic as they aim to bolster their attacking department next season.
Haris Seferovic: A risky choice for Hasenhuttl
Seferovic has enjoyed a rich vein of form since moving to Benfica back in 2017. The Swiss international has been involved in 45 goals in 80 matches for the Eagles in all competitions, which is quite an impressive tally for any striker in the world.
Seferovic’s displays in front of goal have been critical to Benfica’s title-winning campaign. He has plundered 23 league goals in 29 matches, ending up as the league’s top-scorer. His aggression, coupled with his physical and aerial prowess has indeed made him an instant hit in the Portuguese top flight this past season.
Therefore, he seems like a viable option for Southampton, who are in desperate need of a new attacker this summer.
The offensive duo of Shane Long and Charlie Austin have failed to score goals on a consistent basis while Michael Obafemi has struggled with injuries. As a result, the Saints have Danny Ings as their only reliable goalscorer next season.
Seferovic, in that regard, will provide much-needed competition for the ex-Liverpool attacker, who was involved in ten goals during the 2018/19 campaign.
On the flip side, however, it is doubtful whether Seferovic will manage to integrate to the fast-paced nature of the Premier League. The Swiss international found it difficult to thrive in the Bundesliga during his spell at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Additionally, the 27-year-old forward lacks composure on the ball and can often miss glorious opportunities in front of goal. And this could be a problem for a Southampton side, who, in general, are not expected to fashion truckloads of chances in front of goal every match.
Furthermore, the ex-Fiorentina starlet is also quite average when it comes to rotating possession and has a massive temper that could seriously mar his development under Ralph Hasenhuttl. Therefore, it would perhaps be wiser for Southampton to shift their interest to a more matured forward who can not only score goals but also lead the team in the offensive department.