Southampton will deliver their final verdict on Leeds United’s pursuit of Che Adams ‘over the weekend’, according to claims from Mike McGrath from The Telegraph.
Saints have made their stance clear on the striker in recent weeks, with Ralph Hasenhuttl insisting that he wants to keep hold of the 23-year-old.
However, as per McGrath, Leeds remain optimistic that their third offer for Adams – an initial loan deal with the view to a £20 million move in the summer if they get promoted – will be reconsidered by Southampton owner Gao Jisheng.
The forward, who arrived for £15 million from Birmingham City last year, has not yet scored a competitive goal for Saints.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Given that Saints have regularly rebuffed claims that Adams could be on his way out of St Mary’s this month, it’s hard for us to truly believe that a final decision hasn’t been made by the club’s hierarchy already.
It’s apparent that Adams is Marcelo Bielsa’s top target – McGrath’s report states as much – and it’s little surprise. The forward scored 22 goals in the Championship last season, so his proven goalscoring pedigree in the lower tiers would appeal to interested parties.
However, we don’t think he’s found his feet quite yet at Southampton, and Hasenhuttl has still been involving him in his matchday squads.
Adams has contributed with two assists in all competitions this term, but his failure to score a goal comes as a concern to us. He hasn’t started a top-flight game since the Boxing Day win at Chelsea, but the sooner he ends his drought in the Premier League, the better.
If a final decision is still yet to be made, as McGrath suggests, we reckon that Saints should be rejecting Leeds’ approach once again.
Danny Ings, Michael Obafemi and Shane Long have impressed us in large parts this term, but retaining some depth in the front-line would be wise, and Adams is still a capable player.
We think that the prospect of receiving £20 million is rather appealing, given the striker’s arguable shortcomings so far, but Saints can’t afford to sell themselves short midway through the season.
