Good news: Teasing Southampton transfer claim will surely excite supporters - opinion

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has offered a transfer update on the club’s search for a striker ahead of next season.

Speaking to Southampton’s YouTube channel (via HampshireLive), Hasenhuttl explained how the club still need to bring in reinforcements up front saying: “Everybody knows we need to do something there, and the earlier they come, the better it is and the better you can implement them in the team.”

Saints have been linked with several strikers this summer, including Manchester City teenage forward Liam Delap. Despite making five signings so far, none of them have been up front.

As a result, this news is a step in the right direction confirming that the club are focused on reinforcing that area of the pitch.

The claim will excite supporters who may have been worried about the club’s failure so far to replace Armando Broja, who spent last season on loan at St Mary’s Stadium and was key to their success.

They were interested in signing him permanently, but they appear to have been beaten by West Ham United who are close to agreeing a deal for the Chelsea star.

Saints also lost Shane Long who moved to Reading on a free transfer, so they now find themselves with just two recognised strikers in Adam Armstrong and Che Adams.

If they can land City’s Delap then it’ll put them in a much more comfortable position heading into the new season – the 19-year-old was directly involved in ten goals in as many appearances in Premier League 2 last season.

Hasenhuttl was also asked if the striker position was the hardest to recruit for and he replied by saying it was the “most expensive.”

The club scored just 43 Premier League goals last season – six came from Broja and one from Long – and if they are to avoid being