Southampton Want to Sign Prolific Striker With 68 Goals in 137 Games
Southampton are reportedly preparing an offer for soon-to-be free agent Lawrence Shankland, although Hearts are believed to have offered him a new deal.
Shankland suggested in November that his time with the Jambos would end this summer when his current contract expires. The experienced Scot has been in fine form this season and could leave Tynecastle Park after three years with the club.
The 29-year-old has options should he move on, and Southampton are a potential destination where he could follow Will Still through St Mary’s door. GIVEMESPORT sources understand that the Saints have offered the English coach the chance to replace Ivan Juric.
Southampton In Shankland Hunt
The Scottish forward is wanted across Europe
Graeme Bailey reports (via EFL Analysis) that Southampton and Ipswich Town are looking to make offers for Shankland. He’s also received interest from clubs in France, Germany, the MLS, Saudi Arabia and Turkey ahead of his contract expiring on May 31.
Shankland could yet stay at Hearts as they have appointed Derek McInnes as their new manager who worked with the striker while at Aberdeen. The Scottish Sun reports that the Jam Boys have offered him a new three-year deal and they hope he signs to become a “true Gorgie great.”
Southampton are in the market for a new frontman amid problems on the goalscoring front in a season where they’ve finished rock-bottom in the Premier League. Paul Onuachu is the club’s top scorer with just four goals while the likes of Adam Armstrong and Cameron Archer sit on two.
Newly promoted Leeds United are reportedly showing interest in Archer. If he were to stay in the top-flight by making the move, it would intensify the need for a new striker.
Arsenal XI vs Southampton: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League
Arsenal will be without both Jurrien Timber and William Saliba for their trip to Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season.
Timber is sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday, while fellow Gunners defender Saliba will be absent after picking up a hamstring injury during last week’s win over Newcastle.
Arsenal will also remain without long-term absentees Gabriel (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) at St Mary’s on Sunday.
“Jurrien, he had a surgery on Tuesday morning on his ankle,” said manager Mikel Arteta on Thursday. “He’s been feeling that discomfort for many, many weeks
“He’s been navigating through the season with that issue, and it needed to be resolved, so he’s going to be out for a while.
“And Saliba, he had something in his hamstring in the first half [against Newcastle], just before half-time, and again, he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”
The absence of Timber means Ben White will stay at right-back for Arsenal against Southampton, while Riccardo Calafiori could come in for Saliba at centre-back having deputised off the bench last weekend.
Arsenal will welcome back Mikel Merino on Sunday after he served his one-match suspension against Newcastle following a sending off at Anfield.
The Spaniard could come into the team in place of Declan Rice, who has been struggling with a hamstring issue of late.
Kai Havertz will be pushing to start after making his comeback last week following hamstring surgery in February.
Sunday’s match against Southampton is set to be Jorginho and Kieran Tierney’s final appearances for Arsenal. The pair will both likely feature – but it is unclear if they will get the nod to start.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Injured: Gabriel (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Saliba (hamstring), Timber (ankle), Tomiyasu (knee)
Time and date: 4pm BST on Sunday May 25, 2025
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
Referee: Darren Bond
