Southampton have made Bournemouth an opening offer for Max Aarons but have seen their bid immediately ‘rejected’ by the Cherries.
Southampton have sprung to life in the transfer market this week, with the announcement of the permanent signings of both Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Charlie Taylor on Monday.
Those two join Adam Lallana, who also signed upon the expiration of his Brighton contract to add much-needed experience to Russell Martin‘s ranks.
With reports a double EFL swoop is close for talented young centre-backs Nathan Wood of Swansea City and Ronnie Edwards of Peterborough United, it now looks as though the club are acting to decisively to sign a new right-back.
Bournemouth reject Southampton bid for Max Aarons
With Kyle Walker-Peters strongly linked with a move away from St Mary’s this summer, it makes sense that Southampton are considering their options in the position.
That has led them back to Max Aarons, the Bournemouth full-back who Martin wanted last summer.
Ultimately, Aarons chose to sign for Premier League Bournemouth, who paid an initial £7 million with add-ons meaning a deal could be worth up to £12 million.
The 24-year-old started well at the Cherries but fell out of favour following an injury last season and Southampton have attempted to capitalise on that by making a bid.
However, the opening bid of £5 million has been rejected according to Bournemouth journalist Tom Crocker.
Crocker confirmed the news on ‘X’, as he posted: ‘Understand Cherries have rejected a £5 million bid from Southampton for Max Aarons.
Was signed from Norwich for around £7m last summer, so fee offered not in region of what Cherries would be prepared to consider.
Aarons due in for pre-season in a few days’.
Should Southampton make second Aarons bid?
Given his style of football takes a while for players to adjust to, Martin will be keen to get any new signings in as quickly as possible.
However, the Southampton boss is not naive and will know there is a certain element of cat and mouse in the transfer window; especially this early in the summer.
Whilst the opening bid of £5 million is deemed far too low by Bournemouth, they could be tempted to sell if they can recoup the £7 million they paid Norwich a year ago.
It was Leeds United manager Daniel Farke who handed Aarons his Norwich debut and the German spoke glowingly of the full-back in 2020 after he racked up his 100th appearance for the club.
Farke said: “Max is outstanding in many topics. I can’t praise him enough for what he has done since his first appearance,.”
“Maybe you think you know everything about football. He is always looking to work harder. Never ill, never injured. If the best clubs in the world are interested then maybe there is not that much more space to improve.
“But he knows he can work a bit more on his assists and end product, like in the last game. I think he can be more of an offensive threat for us. You watch some of our games now and the opponents go man-for-man on him.
“That is crazy for a player who is a full-back but it says a lot about his reputation.”
Martin clearly rates Aarons and it is feasible he would look to bring him to the club even if Walker-Peters stays given the need for depth in the squad, so it would be no surprise to see Southampton submit a second bid soon.
