According to journalist Alfie House, Brighton striker Evan Ferguson’s sudden availability on loan makes Southampton’s move for Maxwel Cornet ‘appear even worse’ following the Ivorian’s poor start to the Premier League season.
Southampton suffered yet another setback over the weekend, losing 3-2 to league leaders Liverpool, with some excellent displays, particularly from Russell Martin.
Cornet, on the other hand, was absent on Sunday, having been left off Martin’s matchday squad for the third time in a row. His last outing came on September 30 in a 3-1 loss to Bournemouth.
The 28-year-old has battled for consistent minutes at St. Mary’s since joining on loan in the final week of the transfer window, with only 71 minutes of top-flight play for Southampton this season.
House took to X to express his dissatisfaction with Cornet’s unsuccessful term under Martin, claiming that the Saints’ choice to loan the Ivorian now ‘looks even worse’ in light of Evan Ferguson’s reported availability for a move in January.
After signing Cornet and Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu on season-long loans during the summer transfer window, Southampton would have to cancel one of the two contracts if they wished to compete for Ferguson’s temporary arrival in January.
Premier League rules prohibit clubs from registering more than two players on loan at any given moment, while the maximum number of loans registrable in a single season is four.
Southampton, the division’s lowest-scoring team, has scored only nine goals in their first 12 games, putting more pressure on Martin.
Following Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool, the Saints remain at the bottom of the Premier League table, having garnered only four points from 36 available.
Southampton are now five points from safety as they prepare for two major tests in the next seven days: a trip to Brighton and a home game against Chelsea.
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