The Saints’ pursuit of Patrick Roberts has received an update.
The Saints’ recruitment squad will already be planning for the January transfer window, as they seek to find the individuals required to bring Russell Martin’s side back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
They’ve had a difficult start to the season, but will take heart from their triumph over Leeds United on Saturday, thinking it’s a watershed moment after ending their losing streak.
Despite some setbacks during the 2023/24 season, the Saints and the Black Cats are likely to be promotion rivals this season – although the latter have been eager to do business with the former.
Ross Stewart sealed a move from the Stadium of Light to St Mary’s on deadline day – and that wasn’t the only move the Saints tried to make during the latter stages of the window.
It was reported by Sky Sports that Southampton had made a £5m bid for Roberts on deadline day.
Registering five goals and seven assists in the league last season, he had done enough to impress the Saints, but the south-coast side failed to get a deal over the line for him in the end.
They will probably be disappointed about this because they had the funds to get a deal over the line after selling quite a few valuable players during the summer.
Romeo Lavia, Tino Livramento and James Ward-Prowse alone would have generated over £100m for Martin’s side, even without further sales in mind.
Witcoop believes the Saints are still keeping a close eye on Roberts at this point – and that isn’t a surprise considering the ex-Manchester City player is yet to put pen to paper on an extension at the Stadium of Light.
The winger’s contract on Wearside is due to expire next summer and with this in mind, the Black Cats may be open to selling him to avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
There’s still a chance Roberts could extend his stay at Wearside, that certainly can’t be ruled out.
However, whilst he still has less than a year on his deal, the Saints may Roberts as an affordable target.
Should Southampton make a January move for Patrick Roberts?
If he hasn’t signed a new deal by the start of January, the Saints should certainly be considering a move because Roberts is a real asset to have at this level.
Martin’s team must first evaluate whether he is a decent player to have in the top division, because if he isn’t, he may not be a beneficial acquisition.
Southampton must recruit with the long term in mind, because if they sign a lot of players who won’t be effective in the top flight and they are promoted, there’s a big possibility they’ll drop back down.
Roberts, who is 26 years old and a fantastic player, is a player worth bringing in.
The fact that they make so much money from player sales in the summer allows them to spend a reasonable amount on him, but they shouldn’t be taken advantage of.
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