Southampton are in the market for a striker to fire them to Premier League survival this summer.
Russell Martin is looking to improve his squad ahead of a return to the top flight this summer and Southampton will have to have a good transfer window to give themselves the best chance of staying in the division.
Che Adams is likely to leave following the expiration of his contract this summer, with Wolves and Nottingham Forest both interest, but there remains a slim chance he could stay.
Even if the Scotland striker does sign new terms at the Saints, more firepower will be needed and Southampton have been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Armando Broja who spent the 2021/22 season on loan at the club.
However, Chelsea’s £35 million valuation makes this seem unlikely, so here are three alternatives Southampton could consider who won’t break the bank.
Southampton could target Carlton Morris instead of Armando Broja
The first player is Luton Town striker Carlton Morris.
Despite Luton’s relegation Morris was a real standout performer in his first season at Premier League level and combines a battling, ruggedness to his game with a real cool head in front of goal.
Having made 26 goal contributions to get Luton to the top flight in 2022/23, Morris showed he has what it takes to score in the Premier League with 11 goals and four assists last season.
Morris is similar to Adams in his ability to hold the ball up and link the play but is a better finisher than the 27-year-old.
At 28, Morris has experience as well as quality and Luton manager could not speak highly enough of his captain after playing through pain late in Luton’s promotion campaign, saying: “I can’t speak highly enough of the man, he’s been brilliant.
“A number of them are playing through pain now and he’s gone out there again and scored the winner for us.
“He’s such an important member of the team and the group and he’s a real leader.”
Bojan Miovski long-term Southampton target
Southampton could turn their attention north of the border in the search for a striker, with Aberdeen marksman Bojan Miovski having been on their radar for a long time now.
As is often the case with any player showing promise in Scotland, Miovski is attracting the attention of both Celtic and Rangers but his talents are worthy of the Premier League.
At 24, the North Macedonia international has plenty of time to improve but is already at a level where he could be a real asset for Southampton having scored 26 goals and provided four assists in all competitions this season.
Neil Warnock recently had a short spell in charge of Aberdeen and credited Miovski as being the best striker in the veteran manager’s long career, saying:
“He’s just a top finisher. I’ve always struggled with strikers, throughout my career.
“I’ve been good at goalies, centre halves and midfielders but never really on a striker.
“Ironic, isn’t it, that coming to this stage of my career I’ve got probably the best one I’ve ever had.”
With his fee likely to only be around £6 million, Southampton could have themselves a bargain.
Tammy Abraham guarantees Southampton goals
The third option is likely to be the most expensive, but Roma’s Tammy Abraham would still cost Southampton significantly less than the £35 million being quoted for Broja.
Roma are said to be open to offers for the English striker this summer and have slapped a £21 million price tag on Abraham.
The 26-year-old missed almost the entirety of last season through injury but has shown just how potent he can be as he scored 27 goals and provided five assists in all competitions in his debut campaign in Italy in 2021/22.
The 11-cap England international also has 26 Premier League goals to his name across 89 games.
When you consider Broja is significantly more expensive and has just eight goals in 66 games in England’s top tier it makes sense for Southampton to pursue Abraham instead of the Albanian.