Southampton are reportedly in advanced talks over the potential signing of Brazilian attacking midfielder Tete as a free agent from Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.
What’s the story?
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, the Saints have held advanced discussions with the 22-year-old, on whom Premier League rivals Brentford and Leicester City are also keen, whilst the midfielder has received offers from AC Milan, Atalanta and Benfica.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Brazilian players at Shakhtar Donetsk are looking to terminate their contracts with the Ukrainian outfit prematurely given Russia’s invasion of the country.
Tete is one of 12 Brazilians at Shakhtar and, at just 22 years of age, he certainly appears to be a bright prospect.
Hasenhuttl must secure Tete’s signature
It’s no secret that signing young players and developing them is in Southampton’s transfer blueprint under Ralph Hasenhuttl, as the acquisitions of Tino Livramento, Armando Broja and Kyle Walker-Peters have shown, and Tete certainly fits that bill.
The attacking midfielder already boasts a plethora of experience, having made a combined 27 appearances in both the Champions League and Europa League whilst playing 108 times for the Ukrainian giants, scoring 31 goals and setting up another 15 in that time.
Valued at £18m, the prospect of signing the midfielder, who prefers playing on the right flank, on a free transfer would certainly be a mouth-watering deal for the Saints, who are all but certain to compete in the top flight once again next season.
In fact, there is still a genuine possibility of Hasenhuttl’s side securing their first top-half finish in five years, as they sit 11th with nine league matches remaining.
The Saints struggled to score in the early stages of the season but the return of Stuart Armstrong has provided a major boost.
Since the Scotland international returned from a calf injury at the back end of 2021, Southampton have picked up 18 points in 12 league matches whilst also reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, showing how instrumental the 29-year-old has been for Hasenhuttl’s side.
There’s certainly competition for places in attacking midfield, with the likes of Nathan Redmond, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Nathan Tella, Theo Walcott, Moussa Djenepo and Will Smallbone all playing there at some point this season.
However, there is only room for two wide 10s operating on each flank in the Austrian’s preferred 4-2-2-2 setup, so if Tete is to join Southampton, other players may need to be moved on to accommodate the Brazilian.
Nonetheless, just imagine the prospect of him and Armstrong wreaking havoc in the final third at St Mary’s. It’s one that Hasenhuttl would surely love.
In other news – Forget Broja: Ralph must unleash 17-year-old Saints prodigy who “leads the line very well”