Southampton may have issues in luring key transfer target Lucas Cepeda to the club as a European side have tabled their own offer.
The Saints, who finished rock bottom of the Premier League last season, are under new management with former Lens boss Will Still now at the helm. The club have made just one confirmed signing so far this window, with Hoffenheim centre-back Joshua Quarshie joining last month.
Saints Face Winger Battle
Southampton have put feelers out elsewhere in the market, and one figure of interest for the club has been Lucas Cepeda, who is currently playing his trade at Chilean giants Colo-Colo. The 22-year-old has been a major target for River Plate; however, they did not make a move in time for him to play for the Argentinian side in the FIFA Club World Cup this month.
Reports from EFL Analysis have suggested that Southampton have bid £4 million for the winger, which would have seen him loaned to sister club Goztepe. However, there have been conflicting statements, as Colo-Colo’s president openly stated that no offers had arrived for him yet.
The latest news has seen a new club enter the fray for Cepeda, with reports in Turkey from outlet YeniBirlik stating that Trabzonspor will submit an offer in the coming days, with the Chilean deciding his future by the beginning of next month. Other European sides, like Lyon, Bologna and Udinese, have also been linked with a move.
Writers’ View
With reports circling around Kamaldeen Sulemana’s future at Southampton, Will Still seems to be delving into the wide forward areas and Lucas Cepeda is an interesting choice. It feels strange that with the Ghanaian now linked with Atalanta and former boss Ivan Juric, should they get Cepeda over the line they would loan him out to Turkey with a big vacancy within their squad. With 55 appearances and 11 goals, the 22-year-old does look promising but it is now about tabling the right offer and convincing the player to move to St. Mary’s when many other sides, including some competing in European competitions next season, are also in the hunt.
