According to a report by The Daily Mail, Cardiff City have reportedly proposed a £13m move for Genk striker Mbwana Samatta, and Premier League rivals Southampton should hijack any potential deal.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Daily Mail says that the Bluebirds have proposed an offer for the 26-year-old – who is the top goalscorer in the Jupiler League in the 2018/19 campaign – despite him being on the verge of joining Bundesliga outfit Schalke.
It is certainly no surprise that Neil Warnock is keen on the Tanzania international as he looks to strengthen his striker options before the transfer deadline at the end of the month, with the speedy centre-forward netting 24 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions this term.
Samatta has also scored 17 goals in 45 caps for his country since making his debut for them aged 18, but it remains to be seen whether £13m is enough to convince the Belgian top flight leaders to sell.
Why should Southampton join the race?
Despite their improvement in recent weeks, Saints could potentially do with another attacking option that fits into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s style.
Manolo Gabbiadini didn’t and has already gone, and Charlie Austin’s lack of mobility means he will likely only play a bit-part role in the coming months.
That leaves the Austrian with Danny Ings, Michael Obafemi, Sam Gallagher and Shane Long, and with the former trio all suffering their fair share of injury issues this season, another body like Samatta could be vital in the south coast outfit’s bid to beat the drop.
The 26-year-old has shown that he knows where the goal is, while he has that speed to press from the front like Hasenhuttl wants his strikers to do – whether Southampton have the cash to afford to splash out at least £13m on him is another thing altogether though.
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