Southampton looking at double Man City transfer raid for Liam Delap, 19, and Gavin Bazunu like they did with Chelsea
SOUTHAMPTON are eyeing a similar raid on Manchester City’s academy to the one they launched on Chelsea’s last summer.
The South-Coast side are mulling over transfer targets for when the market opens, with City whizkids Liam Delap, 19, and Gavin Bazunu, 20, on their shortlists for striker and goalkeeper.
Saints sought youth from Stamford Bridge 12 months ago, buying right-back Tino Livramento and centre-half Dynel Simeu, as well as loaning centre-forward Armando Broja.
Broja, 20, is due to go back to Chelsea at the end of the season, where he will be assessed by Thomas Tuchel, though there is hope another loan can be arranged to bring him back to St Mary’s next term.
Either way, the Albanian’s relative success this term serves as an example of how young players are given the time to progress under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Highly-rated striker Delap is the son of former Southampton star Rory Delap and was born in Winchester in 2003, when his father was playing for Saints.
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Injury has restricted him to just three substitute appearances for City this term.
It remains to be seen whether Southampton would attempt to loan or buy the youngster.
Saints are after at least one new striker regardless of whether Broja can be coaxed back for another loan as veteran Shane Long is set to leave on a free.
While Nathan Redmond, who has filled in up front and scored in the 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on Tuesday, could also depart with only 12 months left on his contract.
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Southampton are also open to offers for Theo Walcott and Moussa Djenepo.
An alternative forward Saints are looking at is Austrian Sasa Kalajdzic, 24, who has 23 goals in 38 league starts for Stuttgart and is entering the final year of his deal.
Bazunu, who saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo when playing for the Republic of Ireland in September, has had a solid season on loan at Saints’ arch-rivals Portsmouth in League One.
Saints are likely to move for a new stopper if Fraser Forster’s contract, which is up at the end of next month, is not renewed.
A decision on the England stopper’s future will be made after the final game for the season.
Fiorentina goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski is also being considered, though he is only on a list of options at this stage.