According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge could be set to leave Liverpool during the January transfer window, with West Ham and Stoke City linked with £28m moves for the England international.
The 27-year-old has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time under Jurgen Klopp this season, with Roberto Firmino preferred in the striker’s position as Sturridge has been often labelled as not being the right fit for this Reds team.
He has failed to score in eight Premier League appearances this term, however, he did net England’s opening goal in their 3-0 win against Scotland at Wembley on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Southampton have made a solid start to their top-flight campaign and currently sit in the top half of the table on goal difference.
The Saints would consider themselves to be a similarly sized club to both the Hammers and the Potters, so should they be targeting Sturridge too?
Here are FOUR reasons why it would be a great move for the south coast outfit…
He would solve their goal issues
Despite making a solid, if unspectacular, start to the campaign, Southampton have struggled for goals, netting just twelve in their opening eleven Premier League matches of the season – their lowest tally at this stage of the campaign in their five terms back in the top tier.
While Charlie Austin has shown that he can put the ball in the back of the net, Sturridge is a proven top flight goalscorer and has netted 43 times in 77 appearances for Liverpool.
Despite their low goal tally, the Saints have been making opportunities – for example, Dusan Tadic has created 31 chances without picking up an assist – and having someone like Sturridge up top to convert those could change their season.
He’d thrive being the main man
In recent times, Sturridge has found himself as a back-up player in the Liverpool squad, but he is certainly an individual that seems to thrive as the main man.
A top England international, that is something that he would be if Southampton did make a move for the 27-year-old. While £28m would be a fee that would smash the south coast outfit’s transfer record, it is relatively low in the modern day for a proven Premier League goalscorer.
He’s in his prime
It is often said that footballers reach their prime around the age of 27, and that is exactly the age Sturridge is.
While he hasn’t been able to show his best form this term because of injury and a lack of playing time, the England marksman has still shown that he can put the ball in the back of the net on a consistent basis.
If a new club did offer the striker regular first-team football, it could be a decision that benefits them greatly in the future.
He would relish the service provided
While Southampton have created chance after chance this season, they have generally struggled to convert them, which has cost them many a point in the Premier League.
Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond, along with record signing Sofiane Boufal, have the potential to unlock any defence and despite suggestions of his selfishness, you would think that Sturridge would relish the opportunity to work with the trio, given his finishing ability.
