David Ornstein: Southampton now eye move for 6 ft 7 target man labelled an 'Ibrahimovic-machine'

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has named Southampton as one of the clubs monitoring Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic.

Since joining Die Roten in 2017, Kalajdzic has scored 24 goals in 57 games for the Bundesliga club.

Despite having made just 15 appearances in the German top-flight this season due to a shoulder injury, the Austria international has still managed to net six goals.

The 24-year-old’s most prominent feature is his height, with his 6 foot 7 stature in part enabling him to rank in the 92nd percentile for aerial duels won among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues (via FBRef).

According to Ornstein in a report for The Athletic, Southampton are one of the clubs keeping a close eye on Kalajdzic.

The powerhouse is approaching the final 12 months of his current contract, and according to reports in Germany, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have enquired about his availability.

Stuttgart hope that the Austrian will sign a new deal with the club, but the level of interest from elsewhere indicates that a switch is highly probable. If Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side are forced into a sale, they would seek around €25m (£21.2m).

Given Darwin Nunez’s likely departure in the summer, Benfica are strongly considering the 24-year-old as the Uruguayan’s replacement. However, Kalajdzic is also said to be on the radar of both Brighton and Southampton, with the English south coast duo look to bring in a striker this summer.

The Austrian’s aerial threat and technical skills have seen him earn comparisons to former England international Peter Crouch.

Perhaps more impressively, he has been described as an ‘Ibrahimovic-machine’, having shown similarities with that of the AC Milan attacking veteran.

Therefore, with such a high pedigree