Southampton eyeing January move to sign £10m ace...

Southampton are reportedly eyeing a January move to sign a versatile £10m ace who is on the books of a Premier

League rival.

Latest on future of Russell Martin as Southampton eye replacement

The Saints are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table with only one point from nine games, so it hasn’t

been the return to the top level that the supporters at St Mary’s were looking for.

Because of this, there has been a lot of conjecture on Saints manager Russell Martin’s future; however, the

Southampton board is now supporting the manager.

After the home loss to Leicester City earlier in October, Martin was reportedly close to losing his job, but he managed

to keep his job against Manchester City last time out. When asked if he thought the points were coming, he

responded in the aftermath of the 1-0 loss at the Etihad.Martin stated: “I observe enough that the boys have a

disciplined mindset and believe in what they do.

We were more ourselves today than we have been in a long time, and we will be alright if we maintain that.

However, Carlos Corberan, the manager of West Brom, has been mentioned as a potential replacement if Martin is

fired soon. To prevent being immediately relegated back to the Championship, Southampton’s management will also

be getting ready for the January transfer window behind the scenes.

Now, a fresh name has surfaced as Southampton’s possible 2025 transfer target.

Lewis O’Brien, a midfielder for Nottingham Forest, is reportedly a target for Southampton. Given that O’Brien’s loan

with LAFC in the MLS is scheduled to expire in December, a January move may be imminent.

Although Hull City, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Stoke City, and West Brom are all rumored to be interested in

the 26-year-old, Southampton is the only Premier League team mentioned in the transfer report.

The Saints would be acquiring a versatile midfielder who can play in advanced, box-to-box, or holding duties if

O’Brien, who was rated at £10 million last year, returns to England in 2025 and completes a move.

As is evident, he has also been used out wide during his career. He played a conventional central midfield role with

LAFC in the MLS.

O’Brien may be the seventh midfielder on the south coast at the moment, with Southampton’s central midfield

options being Lesley Ugochukwu, Flynn Downes, Mateus Fernandes, Joe Aribo, Adam Lallana, and the injured Will

Smallbone. This makes the deal one to keep an eye on in the upcoming months.