Fabrizio Romano: Southampton Agree Deal to Sign 20-Year-Old

Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Hoffenheim defender Joshua Quarshie, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Saints are preparing for life in the Championship after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed. The Saints will be under new management, with Will Still taking over last week following his departure from Ligue 1 outfit Lens.

Some of Southampton’s key stars will likely head through the exit door in the summer transfer window as they try and find moves back to the top flight. As a result, Still and his recruitment team will be in the market for reinforcements, and it appears that they are looking to get their business done early.

Southampton Agree Deal for Joshua Quarshie

He will sign for a fee of €3.5m

According to Italian reporter Romano, Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Hoffenheim defender Quarshie. The Saints will pay a fee of €3.5m to secure his signature, with his medical already complete.

It’s no surprise that Southampton are looking to complete a deal to sign Quashie, for multiple reasons. Jan Bednarek reportedly has a relegation release clause of just £6m, meaning there’s a strong chance that he could leave the club during the summer transfer window.

Reports have also suggested that West Ham United have made contact with the Saints over a potential move for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. This could leave Southampton short of options at the back, so there’s a chance Quarshie could come straight into the starting XI.

Southampton have also had a lot of success with buying young talents and selling them on for a hefty profit in recent years. Quarshie looks set to join for a minimal fee, so there’s a strong chance they will be able to make a profit on him in a few years’ time if he makes an impact at St Mary’s Stadium. At the age of 20, Quarshie will be far from reaching his full potential, but he’s already playing senior football and clearly impressing.

Southampton must sign centre-backs to dodge major Will Still flaw

Will Still’s alarming penalty record cries for more centre-back reinforcements at St. Mary’s.

Currently, Southampton fans must be thanking their luck that Danny Rohl ignored any returning calls to St. Mary’s. Else, who could have imagined that Will Still would enthusiastically support Southampton’s project despite having no Premier League action on offer, atleast for the coming season.

Thus, the Saints either appear to have hit the jackpot or might have ignored a transfer catch. Now, the jury will be out for Still’s management credentials until his very first game but a major flaw about the Englishman has just come to light.

While breaking down Still’s Lens performances, the Daily Echo pointed out: “Not only did they concede a mammoth nine penalties out of 43 total goals we watched, the general level of defending the box was appalling.”

Well, if not for those nine penalties, Lens might have jumped the Ligue 1 ladder more last season. Anyways, what must be Southampton’s objective is to reduce those margin of errors so as not to giveaway easy goals in the first place.

Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood can impress Still

But the Saints themselves have conceded 86 times only in league matches, thus, their present defence isn’t the answer to dodge away giving penalties.

That being said, it’s time Southampton decided to strengthen their defensive ranks, especially centre-backs. One after the other, the entire defence is succumbing to injuries and with a bunch of uncertain contract situations, some quality upgrade is needed either way.

Ronnie Edwards is a decent candidate here, and will most likely earn Still’s trust. But even then, an extra defender will be needed for rotation purposes.

Nathan Wood is another younger option as Edwards but hasn’t had a good debut season at St. Mary’s. A lower level like the Championship might suit him, and if he shows a good consistency, Still may have his trusted backline available at Southampton itself.