Southampton were dealt a massive blow this past week when Hull City announced the signing of Liverpool star Fabio Carvalho on a short-term loan until the end of the campaign.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported at the weekend that the Saints were one of several clubs in the Championship pushing to sign the 22-year-old alongside promotion rivals Hull and Leeds United, but it was Liam Rosenior’s Tigers who came out on top.
📸 Our 𝐧𝐞𝐰 midfielder 🟠⚫️#hcafc
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 10, 2024
Carvalho was said to be a major target for the Saints before the January transfer window closes, particularly as Che Adams and Sekou Mara are being linked with moves away from the club, although head coach Russell Martin recently ruled out a potential Mara exit.
Nevertheless, Southampton need not panic as the side do potentially have an alternative to Carvalho. According to journalist Nick Mashiter, the club on the south coast are now interested in taking Bournemouth star David Brooks on loan for the rest of the campaign.
The Welshman has played very little football for the Cherries this season under manager Andoni Iraola and has played just 457 minutes in total, spread across 16 appearances in all competitions. This comes to only 28.6 minutes per match on average, whilst his market value has dipped to merely £4 million, as per the CIES Football Observatory.
Regardless, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Alex Crook has admitted that Leeds United, who also missed out on Carvalho’s signature, are interested in bringing Brooks to the club but a deal may not be possible until the end of the transfer window:
“Brooks has a lot of Championship interest, Leeds as well [as Southampton]. But I think with Bournemouth losing Hamed Traore because he’s got malaria, he won’t return anytime soon. Dango Ouattara is going to AFCON, so if they let them go, it will be towards the end of the window. Nothing is guaranteed.”
Writer’s View
There is a good chance that Southampton could convince Brooks to move to the St. Mary’s Stadium before the winter window slams shut, particularly as the Welshman shares the same agency as Che Adams and Samuel Edozie.
While Brooks may not be as good as Carvalho, and Martin will undoubtedly be disappointed in missing out on the youngster, the Wales international has recorded 45 goal contributions in 154 matches in his career and so would certainly be a useful addition to the manager’s squad.
