According to reports in The Sun on December 17, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is keen to sign Red Bull Salzburg striker Dimitri Oberlin, who is currently on loan with FC Basel, during the January transfer window.
The Magpies have dropped into the relegation zone after only scoring 16 goals in their opening 18 Premier League matches this term, and The Sun says that Benitez believes the 20-year-old can boost his side’s goal threat.
The report adds that while Manchester United have also kept tabs on the Switzerland U21 international as he was in their Champions League group this term, the Tyneside outfit are in pole position to wrap up a deal for the £20m-rated attacker.
Meanwhile, Southampton’s disappointing top flight season continued as they suffered successive defeats to Leicester City and Chelsea that left them just three points above the relegation zone, and Mauricio Pellegrino will be looking at his attacking options considering his team have also been goal-shy – they have netted 17 times in their opening 18 Premier League games.
The Argentine is coming under increased scrutiny from the St Mary’s faithful, and bringing Oberlin to the club could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Southampton must hijack Newcastle’s bid to sign the Swiss forward…
Goals
The 20-year-old is a versatile forward but he has usually played as a centre-forward for Basel this season, and he certainly hasn’t let them down in the goals department.
The Cameroon-born player has scored eight times and provided one assist in 23 appearances in all competitions for the Swiss outfit, with four of those goals coming in the group stages of the Champions League.
With the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long struggling for form and goals, Oberlin would prove to be a welcome addition to the Southampton frontline.
Attributes
Ever since Sadio Mane left for Liverpool in 2016 Southampton have lacked that pace and unpredictability in their attack, but bringing Oberlin to St Mary’s next month would change that.
The 20-year-old is lightning-quick and – like Mane – he is showing that he has an end product at the end of a run or dribble.
Talking of dribbling, according to WhoScored.com the Switzerland U21 international has successfully completed five of the 12 take-ons he attempted in the group stages of the Champions League this season.
While that may not be overly impressive, the forward is still young and his pace and direct running would undoubtedly mean that he is a threat for Premier League defenders if he did sign for Saints.
Price tag
According to reports in The Sun, Oberlin could be available for £20m and considering the potential he has and the big impact he could make in the Premier League – as well as filling a big void in the Southampton side – that could prove to be a bargain.
The fee would break Saints’ club-record, but the striker would fit into their transfer philosophy of being a young player who can develop at St Mary’s and then go on to increase his value, and they would be mad to not try and beat Newcastle to his signature in the New Year.
Do you agree, Southampton fans? Let us know below.