Southampton FC secure Rangers agreement with key player but deal hangs on one condition

Southampton FC secure Rangers agreement with key player but deal hangs on one condition

The Saints have spent the whole of the season chasing promotion to the Premier League,

but if they want to sign one reported target, they may have to give up on their aspirations of playing in the top level.

This season, Russell Martin’s Saints have looked brilliant but wobbly at times.

After a sluggish start to the season, they have met many of the preseason expectations by sitting fourth in the Championship standings.

While they are expected to focus on navigating the playoffs,

and possibly even automatic promotion following Leeds and Ipswich’s dropped points over the weekend,

they are also rumored to be interested in signing Rangers striker Kemar Roofe,

who will leave the Scottish club on a free transfer this summer.

However, this change should be undertaken under one condition. That being said, the Saints remain in the second tier.

Kemar Roofe’s pedigree

The English striker has extensive EFL experience, having played for Oxford United and Leeds United,

as well as short loan spells at Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town, and Colchester United.

Roofe came to Leeds in 2016 for an unknown amount from Oxford, which was understandable.

He was Oxford’s main man and leading goalscorer during his one full season at the Kassam Stadium in 2015-16, scoring 18 times.

Once at Leeds, the attacker would make over 100 appearances for the Yorkshire club, scoring 29 goals in four years,

but maybe falling short of the high expectations set by his pricey transfer.

He has now had spells at Belgium and Scotland, where he competed in European games and scored 26 goals.

He would thus make an excellent free signing for the Saints,

entering with far more experience than he had seven years ago when he moved to Leeds in the Championship,

and paying nothing for that would be nothing but a benefit for Southampton.

Saints’ current strike choices

Some may argue that Roofe does not need to join Southampton’s existing strikers.

Adam Armstrong, Che Adams, and an injured Ross Stewart are now on the South Coast team’s roster.

All three are excellent alternatives for an EFL team, even if Stewart’s fitness troubles are a huge concern,

and Adams is out of contract this summer.

However, Armstrong and Adams have been unstoppable this season.

Armstrong, who has played on the left wing at times this season, has scored 20 of the pair’s 33 goals.

Martin has more players at his disposal than just these three strikers. If he wants to change things up,

he can use Sekou Mara, Samuel Edozie, and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw up front or in an attacking three.

As previously stated, Russell Martin loves to field an aggressive trio in a 4-3-3 configuration.

This indicates that if Roofe joins this current group of strikers, one of them will most likely leave.

Why a Championship stay will make the transfer possible

As stated at the start of this piece, if Southampton want the Roofe trade to go through,

they must be willing to stay in the Championship for another season and perhaps lose one of their two aforementioned talents.

Adams might depart for free, but if they win an unlikely promotion ahead of Leicester,

Ipswich, or Leeds, there should be serious talks about an extension.

If a renewal does not go forward despite gaining promotion,

Roofe should not be considered for the Premier League since

he has the necessary top-flight experience to establish himself as a starter at that level.

Despite receiving top-level game time in Belgium and Scotland, the fact that it is absent in England is troubling,

and should be a consideration in Southampton’s decision-making this summer.

Roofe’s age is also a factor to consider. In a Premier League that is constantly getting faster, more physical,

and more skilled, a player of Roofe’s talents at 31 years of age may be better suited to Championship football,

which may force Southampton and Martin to go elsewhere younger,

more top-quality players who they may have to part with money for if they gain promotion.

In any case, whomever signs Roofe this summer, whether it is Southampton or not,

will ensure they have a goal-scoring player, so signing him on a free transfer would be wise business for any Championship side.

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