Southampton’s attack is in need of some much-needed freshening up during the January transfer window, and Ralph Hasenhuttl should use any funds to reunite with RB Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen.
What’s the word, then?
Well, despite Saints improving in front of goal since the Austrian took charge at St Mary’s last month, their lack of quality and strength in depth up top was shown during the defeat to Manchester City previously, where Charlie Austin, Mo Elyounoussi and Shane Long failed to make an impact with Nathan Redmond, Stuart Armstrong and Danny Ings starting on the substitutes’ bench.
With Manolo Gabbiadini excluded altogether and Austin and Long not up to the required standard, the south coast outfit could do with another striker option, and given they have pace and goalscoring ability in Ings and Michael Obafemi, they could do with a different option and a striker that provides height and good movement.
Why Poulsen?
The Denmark international, who will know Southampton duo Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Jannik Vestergaard well, stands at 6ft 4in tall, but he is used to starring in a Hasenhuttl team having excelled in a 4-2-2-2 system with Timo Werner when the 51-year-old was in charge of Leipzig last season.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form for the Bundesliga club this term despite the departure of the Austrian last year, scoring 11 goals and providing a further six assists in 27 appearances in all competitions up to the winter break.
While he could come up at a big price, he is an attacker who can win aerial duels, hold the ball up and bring the likes of Redmond and Armstrong into play, and he would make a huge difference for this current Saints team.
Southampton fans don’t want to see the likes of Austin and Long starting matches now, and bringing Poulsen to St Mary’s would help ensure that happens.
Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…
