Southampton have been linked with a move for 25-year-old West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante as they look to improve their attacking options this summer.
Russell Martin knows he needs at least one new striker at Southampton this summer if he is to have any chance of keeping the club in the Premier League.
That need only increased with Che Adams finally making a decision on his future following the expiration of his contract and signing for Torino.
With that in mind, Brandon Thomas-Asante has been linked with a move to St Mary’s, but it could be difficult for Southampton fans to get excited about a striker who has never really stood out in the Championship.
The West Brom forward also failed to threaten the Saints across two legs of the play-off semi-final, so it is difficult to see the benefit of pursuing him.
This is a very uninspiring link that it is difficult to argue improves Southampton, so here are five players Martin could target instead; all of whom would be an upgrade on not only Thomas-Asante but Adams too.
It is worth noting that these five options are not intended to be the marquee striker signing Saints are hoping for but the Adams replacement.
Five budget strikers Southampton could sign to replace Che Adams this summer
Ben Brereton Diaz (Villarreal)
One striker that Southampton have long been admirers of is Villarreal’s Ben Brereton Diaz.
After struggling to make an impact in Spain since his move following the end of his Blackburn Rovers contract last summer, the 25-year-old was allowed to spend the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United.
In a poor side who finished bottom of the Premier League with just 16 points, Brereton Diaz managed to make his mark by scoring six league goals in 14 appearances, showing he can cut it at the top level.
It has been reported that the Saints will push for a move for the versatile forward and – whether that be on loan or permanent – he would be a much more promising signing than Thomas-Asante.
Danny Ings (West Ham)
Perhaps not the most popular name on this list, Danny Ings is one budget option who could replace Adams.
Ings spent three seasons on the south coast, scoring 46 goals in 100 games but angered fans by moving to a then-relegation threatened Aston Villa having given assurances he would only leave for a top six side.
After a difficult few seasons, Ings is likely to be available from West Ham this summer for under £6 million and is a proven goalscorer at Premier League level.
His wages could prove a sticking point, but at least fans would know what they were getting should the 31-year-old return.
Carlton Morris (Luton Town)
Luton Town captain Carlton Morris got his first taste of Premier League football last season at the age of 28.
Having climbed up the EFL, Morris finally got his shot at the big time last season and could be keen to extend that journey with a move this summer.
Similar to Adams in his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play, Morris is arguably a better finisher than the new Torino man and certainly a better player than Thomas-Asante.
With 11 goals and four assists in a struggling Luton side last season, Morris could prove a really good addition to compete to be Martin’s starting striker and is unlikely to command a big fee.
Jay Stansfield (Fulham)
Jay Stansfield is just 21 but has already proven he knows where the goal is at senior level.
The Fulham striker followed up a successful League One loan in the 2022/23 season by showing he can score goals in the Championship with 12 in 43 games for relegated Birmingham City.
A young forward with plenty of potential, Stansfield could provide Martin something different with his willingness to run in behind and constant hounding of opposition defenders.
If a marquee centre-forward is also brought in, Stansfield could serve as a very capable back-up who will only get better.
The only problem may be convincing Fulham to sell, with the youngster signing a new contract until 2027 just before the start of last season.
Wout Weghorst (Burnley)
This one is a little more left-field, but Southampton could sign a player in a similar mould to Adams in Burnley striker Wout Weghorst.
Having signed for the Clarets in 2022, Weghorst has spent the past two seasons out on loan, with time spent at Besiktas, Manchester United and Hoffenheim.
An experienced centre-forward with 12 goals for the Netherlands, Weghorst has no future at Burnley and could be available for a cut-price fee.
A target man who Martin could utilise as a focal point for his possession-based side in a similar way to Adams last season, Weghorst could prove a cheap but effective option meaning the money saved to be spent on a bigger name signing.
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