‘Willing to sell’: Southampton are ‘keen’ to sign £10m striker compared to Haaland – Alan Nixon

Southampton are keen on signing a striker who has been compared to Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland.

Russell Martin is assembling a squad at Southampton capable of surviving in the Premier League.

The South Coasters confirmed the signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis permanently from Manchester City following promotion while Adam Lallana returned to the club where he made his name.

 

When Martin lines up his side for their opening game against Newcastle United on August 17th, his side will look completely different to the one that beat Leeds in the play-off final, including at striker.

Southampton are keen to sign Liam Delap from Manchester City

Che Adams spearheaded the Saints’ forward line alongside top scorer Adam Armstrong with 17 league goals.

Although it’s looking increasingly likely that the Scotsman will depart this summer; his contract technically expires on Sunday and the 27-year-old is open to leaving St Mary’s.

According to Alan Nixon, reporting via his Patreon, Martin has already lined up a replacement for Adams with a move for Manchester City striker Liam Delap.

Nixon wrote: “Southampton are keen to win the race for Manchester City’s young striker Liam Delap.

 

“Saints want to throw Delap the chance to stay in the Premier League and lead their attack on their return to the big time.

 

“Delap has been on loan to the Championship and now City are willing to sell him for around £10 million.”

 

A product of Man City’s academy and previously labelled as ‘special’ by none other than Pep Guardiola, Delap was a revelation on loan at Hull City last term.

The 21-year-old scored eight goals in 31 appearances and if it wasn’t for an injury that sidelined him for 15 matches, he may fired Hull into the playoffs, with the Tigers missing out by just three points.

 

Delap looks ready to play Premier League football and the Englishman has understandably drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland.

 

Why Liam Delap has been compared to Erling Haaland

Haaland is arguably the scariest striker to come up against on the planet. Standing at 6 foot 5, the Norwegian has been described as “unstoppable” for defenders due to his knack for bullying opposition defenders with his electric pace and power.

 

Once he gets a yard of space to run into, the 23-year-old makes no mistake and is impossible to stop when he breaks the defensive line.

 

 

With an eye-watering 90 goals in 98 appearances for Man City, Haaland is an exceptional finisher of chances too and that’s what makes him a nightmare to defend against.

 

Whilst Delap boasts nowhere near the same scoring power as his City teammate, his talent was dubbed ‘scary’ by Liam Rosenior, the man who managed him at Hull.

 

Delap possesses a frightening pace, much like Haaland, and his ability to spin defenders when given half a yard of space explains Rosenior’s comment.

 

The England under-21 star is a ball-carrying phenom and when compared against other Championship strikers in 2023/24, he ranked in the top 3% for progressive carries and successful take-ons, evincing his quality to wreak havoc in the opposing half.

 

Southampton need a striker who can pose a threat with the ball at his feet and in behind. Therefore, a £10 million move for Delap could prove to be a bargain, as long as he improves his finishing.

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