Saints look to find transfers ‘under £10m’

RALPH Hassenhuttl has confirmed Southampton will be scouting new transfer markets for targets valued around £10m.

The Saints, like Newcastle United and their Premier League rivals, are still grappling with the financial ramifications of a season deprived of match-day income.

We revealed interest in Sunderland’s on-loan defender Dion Sanderson reflects the Magpies’ potential summer remit to scour the Championship and League One prospects.

Southampton have enjoyed success in recent seasons with signings from Europe, with the likes of Sadio Mane and Morgan Schneiderlin going on to earn the club substantial transfer fees.

But in addition to the financial challenges wrought by Covid-19, Premier League clubs must also contend with the new restrictions as a result of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.

A new points-based immigration system in effect from the January transfer window will make it tougher for top-flight teams to make moves abroad.

Potential signings will be judged on a range of criteria such as international and domestic appearances, final league position, the ranking of the divison and more.

United’s current summer transfer plans remain uncertain, with their Premier League status and Mike Ashley’s ongoing ownership still at stake.

Southampton currently sit four points ahead of the Magpies in the table, and Hassenhuttl’s claims about the Saints summer targets provide an idea of the markets United could look to operate in.

Hassenhuttl told Hampshire Live: “We are looking for players around the £10m mark, or lower if possible. There are some good players around there and this is what we need to find.

“Because of Brexit, some other markets have been opened now for us more than when we were part of the EU, so this is definitely changing a little bit.

“The problem is that you have to also focus with your scouting on these markets, especially South America, for example, and we haven’t so far so.

“But also, in general, it is not easy to bring a player in the Premier League. Everybody thinks that we have this huge amount of money because we are a Premier League club, and so you pay more for players like other teams around the world. And on the other side, when you want to make a cheap transfer, then he’s not good enough and you don’t get a work permit.”