Southampton academy graduate Josh Sims looks set to be at the heart of a transfer tug-of-war between two EFL clubs looking to bolster their own options.
The 23-year-old is valued at just £1.44m by Transfermarkt and is reportedly a strong target for Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers as well as Doncaster Rovers of League One.
Sims has alreadyenjoyed loan spell in Yorkshire with Darren Moore’s side this season, scoring three goals and setting up a further seven in just 14 appearances at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Yeovil-born winger’s fine form hasn’t gone unnoticed and has attracted attention higher up the English football pyramid in the form of QPR.
Sims has also enjoyed previous spells on loan with Reading as well as Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls, both of which offered a chance to convince his parent club that he deserves a spot in their first team plans.
That may still yet emerge for the 23-year-old – Southampton are suffering an injury crisis, especially in the wide attacking positions. Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Tella and Will Smallbone are all part of a mounting list of stricken options.
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In the short term, Sims cannot afford to be let go by the Saints, who lack time and resources to reinforce meaningfully in terms of wingers this January as the end-of-month deadline for deals creeps ever closer.
The prospect of inciting a bidding war could be a lucrative one for Southampton, but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side should wait until the summer before sanctioning a move for the 23-year-old winger.
