da mrbet： According to reports in The Sun, Southampton are keen to sign young Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts on a season-long loan deal.
da brdice： The Sun says that new Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino is keen to strengthen his side’s attacking options after they scored just 41 goals in their 38 Premier League matches last season, and he plans to ask City manager Pep Guardiola whether the 20-year-old will be involved for the upcoming campaign.
The England Under-20 international, valued at £6.38m by transfermarkt.com, moved to the Etihad from Fulham in 2015 but he has made just three appearances in all competitions since then, spending the last 18 months on loan with Celtic.
He certainly made a big impression too for the Bhoys after scoring 11 goals and providing a further 19 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions last term, primarily from a right wing position.
However, while he is a promising prospect the deal might not be the right one for the south coast outfit.
Here are three reasons Southampton should avoid a loan deal for Roberts…
Blocking the pathway of their youngsters
While bringing Roberts to St Mary’s would be something of a coup, it would almost certainly mean that he would be required to play regularly if City agreed to loan him to the Saints.
That could mean that the 20-year-old blocks the pathway to the starting line-up for the likes of Josh Sims, who made a positive impression on the wing on a number of occasions last season.
The fellow 20-year-old set up a goal for Charlie Austin on his Premier League debut, as well as assisting Shane Long as the south coast outfit sealed their spot in the EFL Cup final, and he will hope to gain more first team opportunities in the upcoming campaign.
The loan deal itself
Southampton haven’t signed a player on loan from another Premier League club since they got Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea in 2014, and it hasn’t tended to be something they have done since they returned to the Premier League in 2012.
Saints would effectively be developing another Premier League side’s young player when they already have a respected academy of their own, and it would certainly be a different story to Bertrand if they brought in Roberts on a similar deal as the left-back was 25 years of age at the time and considered to be unwanted by the Blues.
What happens a year from now
One of the other problems for Southampton is that Roberts could make a huge impression at St Mary’s next season, and rather than then signing a permanent deal with Saints, City could choose to keep him or place a valuation on his head that is out of their reach.
If Pellegrino really does want a new wide player, it would probably be better for the club if they signed someone permanently that they know will be theirs for more than one season as they once again look to qualify for Europe and progress.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.