Southampton could hand Sekou Mara his first shirt number as striker nears transfer

Sekou Mara is on the verge of joining Southampton and could be handed the number he wore when he made his professional debut.

Saints have agreed a deal in principle with recently relegated French side Bordeaux, with the transfer expected to be completed over the next few days. The 19-year-old scored six goals in 26 appearances for Bordeaux last season and would become the club's sixth summer signing of the window.

The forward position was one in which manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was in desperate need to strengthen after admitting while on tour in Austria that they were looking to add to that department. "We still have to bring some players in, we know this, especially on the position up front where we lost players," he said, speaking to Southampton's YouTube channel. "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."

With the transfer all but done, the player is due in England to complete his medical and sign his Southampton contract, attention will quickly turn to which shirt number Mara could don when leading the line for the Saints.

Currently wearing the No.11 shirt in France, that number is unavailable on the south coast with Nathan Redmond currently occupying the shirt. His previous number, nine, is also taken at Southampton with Adam Armstrong taking the shirt from Danny Ings when he left for Aston Villa in 2021.

The number 36, which Mara wore when he made his senior debut during the 2020/21 season, is currently available. The other numbers the French youngster has worn are 17 and 19, both unavailable with Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Djenepo wearing each respectively ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

There are a few