Southampton are reportedly interested in bringing in a new striker during the remainder of the winter transfer window, meaning one of Cameron Archer or Adam Armstrong could leave the club before the 2nd February deadline.
This is according to TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who has tweeted that there is “plenty of interest” in the Saints duo, as next Monday’s deadline draws closer.
It’s no surprise to see Southampton looking for a new striker, particularly after they sanctioned the loan exit of Damion Downs to Hamburg earlier in the window, while Ross Stewart’s fitness remains a concern after multiple injury struggles since his move from Sunderland.
Archer’s goalscoring record leaves a lot to be desired too, after notching just two league goals all season, and while Armstrong has found the back of the net 11 times this term, his minutes have been scattered in recent times under Tonda Eckert, which has led to a nine-game goalless run.
The Saints have also won just one in nine second-tier outings, so there is hope that if they liven up the forward department, then they can get the goals to flow a bit more at the top end of the pitch and have an easier time of picking three points up on a consistent basis.
It could prove to be a busy time at Southampton before the 2nd February deadline, with movement expected both in and out of the building.
Journalist shares Southampton FC transfer update as Cameron Archer and Adam Armstrong futures up in the air
According to a tweet made by TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, he has revealed Southampton are in the market for a new striker before the winter transfer window slams shut, which would facilitate a move away for one of Cameron Archer or Adam Armstrong.
There is reportedly plenty of interest in both forwards, with the duo both possessing an excellent pedigree of regular goalscoring in the second-tier.
Because of Saints’ willingness to part ways with one of their forwards, there’s been no surprise to see speculation ramping up.
In the last few days, journalist Alan Nixon reported Wrexham had registered their interest in Armstrong and could strike a £15m deal to lure the former Championship golden boot winner to North Wales.
Archer is yet to receive any publicised interest, but that is sure to change given the former Middlesbrough man scored 11 and assisted six in 20 second-tier appearances at the Riverside Stadium during the 2022-23 campaign.
Southampton should part ways with Cameron Archer over Adam Armstrong
Out of the two, Southampton should be prioritising a departure for Cameron Archer, purely because he is third in the pecking order under Tonda Eckert.
The 24-year-old has only started six games all season, playing 604 minutes of the 19 games he’s been called upon, so there are clear signs that Saints boss Tonda Eckert doesn’t believe that he can make the desired impact.
Small cameos off the bench have really restricted his goalscoring returns, while him remaining an unused substitute in the last two Championship games could be a decision made to ensure that he doesn’t get injured before they find a buyer.
For Adam Armstrong, he is still well involved in first-team matters, and while his minutes have been lowered due to the competition of Ross Stewart, the Championship marksman has 11 goals for the season, while the further ones to come will be so important to helping the Saints rising up the table and getting themselves into the promotion mix.
There will be some concern about his inability to find the back of the net from his last nine matches, but the 28-year-old has proven throughout his career that he is a menace at this level, and will undoubtedly get his form back on an upwards trajectory in the not-too-distant future.
Therefore, if the Saints do end up bringing in another striker, Archer should be the one to make way, given Armstrong still has the potential to play a pivotal role in guiding Southampton back to the promised land of the Premier League.
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