Southampton have sent scouts to watch Barnsley’s rising star Callum Styles as they target the signing of a new left-back in the summer, per The Sunday Mirror (14/02/2021, p70) [via Football League World].
The Saints were aiming to add to their full-back options during the January transfer window, but they failed to complete proposed moves for the likes of Brandon Williams, Neco Williams and Japhet Tanganga before the deadline. That has left them with Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker-Peters as their only fit senior full-backs for the rest of the campaign.
The need for the Saints to add full-backs to their squad could be even greater with Bertrand having not yet put pen to paper on a potential new deal offered to him by the Saints. It has now emerged that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have sent scouts to watch Styles during Barnsley’s defeat at against Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round in midweek, per The Sunday Mirror (14/02/2021, p70).
Styles has been an impressive performer for Barnsley in the Championship so far this term as the Tykes have performed beyond their pre-season expectations of a relegation battle. The 20-year-old has been deployed mostly at left-wing-back, but is also comfortable in midfield, and he has registered three goals and two assists in 24 league appearances (Sofascore). That has caught the attention of both the Saints and fellow south coast club Brighton.
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Styles fits the profile of player for whom Southampton have tended to move over the last few transfer windows, with the 20-year-old showing plenty of potential and tactical flexibility having impressed with Barnsley since he made the move from Bury – indeed, he has been labelled the ‘Bury Baggio’ by many Tykes fans. He appears to have plenty of talent which could be harnessed by Hasenhuttl over the next few years.
The wing-back has shown excellent ability on the ball to affect games going forward, with the 20-year-old averaging one successful dribble and one key pass per game in the Championship so far this term. He has also been good defensively, averaging 1.3 interceptions and 2.9 tackles per match (Sofascore).
This seems like a very good potential move for both Styles and Southampton, but Brighton will also be a potentially attractive proposition for the in-demand 20-year-old. It could therefore come down to which club can make a more convincing sales pitch.
