Saints eyeing deal to sign “lanky” 36-goal machine, he can be Ralph's own Ibrahimovic – opinion

Southampton are interesting in signing VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic this summer but face competition from other Premier League clubs.

According to Sven Mislintat (via Inside Futbol), Stuttgart have not yet received any offers from the interested clubs including Saints, with the sporting director saying that they have three options. Either sell, extend the contract, or let it expire.

Saints and West Ham United are admirers of the player’s abilities and Manchester United are said to have held initial talks over signing him.

It’s not clear how much it would take for the German club to accept, but with the striker’s contract running out next summer he could be available for a bargain price.

If you don’t follow the Bundesliga regularly then you probably won’t know a huge amount about the player. The Austrian international has scored 36 goals in 93 career appearances, 22 of which were whilst playing for Stuttgart.

At a height of 6-foot-6, he’s the tallest player in the league and when asked in an interview about nicknames he’s been given because of his height he said:

“I have heard a lot of phrases and expressions! I’ve heard a comparison with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Peter Crouch, anything from ‘tall and lanky’ to ‘tall’ and an ‘Ibrahimovic-Machine’! I’ve heard a lot of things.”

With the Swedish brute having had a successful spell in England with Manchester United, it could give them an advantage over Saints and the Hammers.

Both the London and Manchester clubs can also offer European football which can’t be said for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, so if Saints are keen then they need to make their move fast.

With Armando Broja also having returned to Chelsea following his successful spell on loan at St Mary’s Stadium last