Despite Russell Martin’s departure from St. Mary’s, Southampton’s season appears increasingly dire under Ivan Juric’s leadership.
With Sunday’s Premier League loss to Nottingham Forest, the miserable Saints have now dropped an astounding 18 games in the top level this season, collecting only six points from 22 very dismal games.
The Croat did see some signs of life in his Southampton side to claw back two goals in the 3-2 loss at the City Ground, but he will know he needs some major fresh blood regardless to try and pull off an unbelievable relegation escape, with one new signing reportedly joining the basement club very soon.
Saints closing in on deal for Danish ace
Albert Gronbaek, a midfielder for Rennes, is reportedly undergoing his physical today, and Southampton is close to signing him, according to French writer Marc Mechenoua’s X account.
According to Mechenoua, the sum required to acquire the 23-year-old outright would be around to £13 million. The Dane would join the building on a loan-to-buy arrangement as part of the transaction.
The Saints will be hoping to bring the Scandinavian back to his best, even though his time in France hasn’t been that spectacular thus far. Prior to moving to Ligue 1, he was frequently thrilling supporters at Bodo Glimt.
What Gronbaek could offer the Saints
Whilst this might not be the statement signing that will see Juric’s side stay afloat in the Premier League, it could well be a boost to morale on the South Coast anyway, with Mateus Fernandes once a relative unknown entity himself upon his arrival last summer from far-off European shores, only to now be one of the Saints’ top performers.
Prior to delving further into Gronbaek’s impressive stats in his home country of Denmark, Juric has found a bright spot in Fernandes during his dismal early days as manager. The Portuguese midfielder stood out in that loss to Forest.
The talented 20-year-old made three crucial passes and two successful dribbles to keep his team up the pitch when they could have crumbled, and the former Sporting player did indeed pick up an assist in the game when Paul Onuachu met his corner kick delivery late on.
He could be joined by a new teammate in the middle of the park soon in Gronbaek, who would give the Saints even more freshness centrally away from the likes of Flynn Downes, Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo already in the building.
Whilst none of those options have been particularly woeful – away from Downes looking slightly off the pace versus Nuno Espirito Santo’s men with Juric hooking him off at the half-time interval – the new addition could end up being a repeat of the Fernandes switch, with the 23-year-old a goal and assist machine when playing in Denmark.
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