A major update has emerged on Southampton and their attempts to add to their frontline before the deadline of the January transfer window…
What’s the talk?
According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, the Saints are closing in on a deal to sign Portuguese centre-forward Vitinha from Braga before the window slams shut.
Would you take Vitinha?
Yes
No
O’Rourke Tweeted: “Understand Southampton have agreed to pay the €30m (£26.2m) release clause for Braga striker Vitinha.”
The accompanying article claims that Nathan Jones is keen to strengthen his options at the top end of the pitch and the 22-year-old striker appears poised to do just that as the club attempt to snap him up.
It has since been reported that Brighton are also willing to pay his release clause and the Saints could need to fight to win the race for his signature.
Adam Armstrong upgrade
Martin Semmens could land a big upgrade on current forward Adam Armstrong by sealing a swoop to sign Vitinha before tonight’s deadline passes.
The 25-year-old Englishman has struggled badly in the Premier League this season and his lack of cutting edge has contributed to the club’s woes in the final third.
Southampton have only scored 17 times in 20 matches in the division and Armstrong has contributed with one goal and one assist in 19 appearances, starting 12 of those games.
The former Blackburn Rovers man has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.58, which places him 19th in the squad, and this suggests that the forward has left a lot to be desired in both his average performance level and his contributions in front of goal.
Vitinha, meanwhile, has been in fine goalscoring form for Braga since the start of last season. The gem, who was dubbed “prolific” by talent scout Jacek Kulig last term, has plundered seven goals and two assists in 12 starts in the Portuguese top-flight in 2022/23 after managing seven goals and two assists in 16 starts in 2021/22.
These statistics indicate that the young striker could offer more than Armstrong in the final third as the Portuguese under-21 international has showcased his quality in front of goal on a semi-regular basis, whereas the Englishman has rarely contributed with key contributions.
Braga’s centre-forward has also averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.01 in Liga Portugal in the current campaign and this suggests that the 22-year-old’s all-round displays could be at a higher level than the Southampton man’s.
Therefore, Semmens could land Jones a big upgrade on his current Saints options at the top end of the pitch by getting this move for Vitinha over the line in the hours to come.
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