Southampton should look ahead to the summer by replacing David Brooks with former Celtic winger Karamoko Dembele.
In their attempts to avoid FFP issues, Southampton have done most of their shopping in the loan market this season.
It has proven to be an effective strategy for Russell Martin‘s side as they’ve brought in Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser in the summer while luring Joe Rothwell and David Brooks from Premier League side Bournemouth in January.
Brooks has been a quality addition, supplying five goal contributions in eight appearances, including a goal and an assist in the 4-3 victory over Birmingham City.
The 26-year-old has formed a lethal forward trio with Che Adams and Adam Armstrong with the Saints scoring eight goals in their last two Championship outings.
The Welsh wizard has made the desired impact at St Mary’s and supporters will be keen for him to stay beyond the end of the current campaign.
However, there is no obligation in his contract to purchase the player and while sealing a permanent move isn’t out of the question, Southampton could look elsewhere by trying to lure Karamoko Dembele to the South Coast.
Russell Martin could replace David Brooks with Karamoko Dembele
Dembele was the player who set social media alight years ago, dancing through defenders far older than him as a 13-year-old playing for Celtic’s under-20 side.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation while on loan at Blackpool from French side Brest, and is threatening to live up to the potential that his formative years promised.
According to HITC Football, Southampton are one of several interested clubs after watching him tear apart League One.
Predominantly playing from the right wing or as an attacking midfielder, Dembele has scored seven goals and supplied 12 assists in all competitions this term.
It’s form that has seen Blackpool teammate James Husband hail him as a “special” talent, and Southampton should certainly pounce at the chance to sign him to replace Brooks.
Dembele, similarly to the Welshman, possesses devastating close control and excellent running power that can see him glide past defenders.
When running at full speed, the ball gets stuck to him like glue and he’s so good at manipulating the ball in tight areas.
The next step for Dembele is to play higher up the pyramid, perhaps in the Premier League or Championship and of course, the Englishman will want to go somewhere he’s guaranteed regular minutes.
With Martin able to offer him the promise of regular football at St Mary’s, they should certainly use that pull to sign the talented younger.
And if the Saints needed further encouragement to sign Dembele, footballing legend Ruud Gullit once labelled him as “exceptionally good” during his time at Celtic.