Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is on the lookout for a few experienced attacking players to add quality to his side for the 2019-20 season. He will be eager to finish higher than the 16th place finish that they achieved last season. Southampton have been linked with a few attackers, from Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to Standard Liege’s 20-year-old winger Moussa Djenepo.
Now, the Saints are reportedly interested in experienced striker Jordan Ayew, who was on loan at Crystal Palace this past season. The 27-year-old featured in 25 games for the Eagles but could register just two goals – one in the Premier League and the other in the FA Cup. The Ghanaian, whose parent club is Welsh side Swansea City, could move in the summer as the Swans want to sell him with the striker expected to be available for £5 million, which is what Swansea paid for him when they signed him from Aston Villa.
Ayew moved to the Premier League from the French league in 2015, signing for Aston Villa before moves to Swansea City and finally a loan spell at Crystal Palace. His brother Andre Ayew also played in the Premier League, and is also currently signed with Swansea City, but was on loan at Fenerbahce in the last season.
Will signing Jordan Ayew be a smart move by Hasenhuttl?
Ayew could be a useful backup striker, someone Hasenhuttl can bring off the bench to make an impact for his team. Ayew is a hard-working forward who likes to press the opposition backline and disrupt their rhythm.
But Ayew has other qualities as well. He has adequate pace and can take on defenders in the final third, and is a useful player in a counter-attacking team. The Ghanian also offers managers another option as he is a player who can play in the wide areas, cutting inside to cause trouble for the defenders.
Hasenhuttl doesn’t have too many quality options in the striker’s position. Danny Ings, who was on loan from Liverpool, had a decent season, scoring 8 goals in all competitions, while Shane Long and Charlie Austin have blown hot and cold this season. While Ayew will not be the solution to the “15-goal-a-season” striker that Hasenhuttl desperately needs, he could be a useful squad player who comes with a cheap price tag.