Pochettino eyes talented triumvirate for Southampton

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has publicly acknowledged his interest in Victor Wanyama, Leandro Damiao and Ever Banega.

If he is successful in landing the trio, it would significantly bolster the south coast team’s prospects ahead of the new season.  Celtic’s Kenyan midfielder Wanyama, Brazilian striker Damiao and Valencia’s Argentinian midfielder Banega would add some real quality to St.Mary’s.

And the ex-Argentinian international was forward in his interest, saying:  ”We manage a lot of information about very good players.  One of them is Damiao, also Banega and also Wanyama.  We are managing the situation as well as we can at the moment.  The main thing is that we as a club, Southampton, are managing when these negotiations happen so that is what is happening.

“We are managing when these players are going to be signed and how we sign them.Our goals are very clear. I am also not trapped by the fact that I said I wanted to have our transfer window closed by July 1.”

Pochettino is looking for quality ahead of quantity, saying:  “We are not interested in 15 or 20 players. We are interested in maybe two or three key players.  At the same time, I also want to say our squad at the moment is really good and it is not like we are trapped in the sense that we need these players to be a better squad.

“Our squad as it is really good already, but we just want to bring in two or three players that reinforce key areas in the squad to become an even better team.”

Wanyama is a realistic target with Celtic accepting that the powerhouse player will be leaving this summer and a move to Southampton seems like a good fit.

Damiao has been a target for Tottenham but the London club have become frustrated in their negotiations with Damiao’s Brazilian club side Internacional.  His signature would be a significant one if Pochettino manages to pull it off.

Banega would be another key acquisition, injuries have broken his rhythm in recent seasons but the 19 times capped Argentinan international could have a real impact on the Premier League.

One significant signing that has gone through is that of now former Olympique Lyonnais defender Dejan Lovren.  The Croatian international will add considerable strength to The Saint’s central defence.  The player cost £8.5 million to bring to the club but could prove considerably good value.

If the aforementioned triumvirate of players are also brought in, Southampton could have a very real impact this coming season....follow us on

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