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According to The Daily Mail, Southampton are keen on LASK Linz’s Thomas Goiginger, who has been in sensational form over in Austria this season. The 26-year-old has been on Ralph Hasenhuttl’s radar since January and the Saints boss could now swoop to bring his countrymen across the channel in what would surely be a dream move to the Premier League.
The winger, who is capable of playing on either flank, chalked up 14 goals and 17 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions in 2018/19 – an output that could make him a frugal buy for many clubs at just £5m.
With Moi Elyounoussi failing to impress at St Mary’s Stadium, it’s clear that the Saints need some more options out wide – player of the year Nathan Redmond can’t do it all by himself, try as he might.
Hasenhuttl is surely looking to guide his squad into the top half next season and adding some impetus up front in his high-tempo system would go a long way in realising those ambitions, but is speedy Goiginger the right man for the job? Football FanCast’s writers give their verdicts below…
Jack Saville
“At £5 million he’s well worth a punt. With an exceptional record in Austria this season, he’s the type of player who could follow in Sadio Mane’s footsteps in making the move to the Premier League. His lack of experience in one of Europe’s elite leagues is a natural concern for Saints supporters, but Ralph Hasenhuttl has proved himself as an excellent man-manager and his expertise could help Goiginger become one of the bargains of the summer window.”
A Southampton fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Saints in the video below…
Harry Sherlock
“This is definitely a punt but why not? At £5m it’s a low-risk move and, as long as further reinforcements are brought in during the summer, it feels like it’s worth it. Ralph Hasenhuttl and his scouts will have done their due diligence and it could well pay off; one only needs to cast their minds back to other unheralded arrivals in the top-flight, such as Michu at Swansea City, to see there is value in looking beyond the obvious.”
Billy Meyers
“There is so little risk in this signing that it would be foolish not to do it. The stats that Goiginger has recorded are eye-catching to say the least, and it isn’t like he’s performing in a farmer’s league by any means; some serious talent has come out of Austria in the past, such as Liverpool pair Naby Keita and Sadio Mane. This could well turn out to be a masterstroke of a find by Southampton if they get it over the line.”
