Southampton still want Goncalo Ramos
Southampton have suffered in front of goal this season, which has ultimately led to their miserable league position.
After 15 games, they sit 19th in the Premier League, having scored just 13 times.
Whilst Che Adams is hardly to blame entirely for their poor form, given that he is their top scorer by some way, he still lacks the required quality to consistently fire them to safety.
It therefore comes as no surprise that Southampton have flirted with relegation ever since the departure of Danny Ings, who scored 46 times in 100 games on the south coast, in 2021.
Adams’ return of four goals in the league so far this term is a far cry from what is needed to comfortably beat the drop, and it could explain the Saints’ continued interest in Goncalo Ramos, despite his ever-growing price tag and the appointment of Nathan Jones as manager at St Mary’s last month.
The Portuguese marksman had been enjoying a fine start to the season at Benfica, before he saw his value skyrocket with his displays in Qatar.
Since then, his club have begun pointing towards his €120m (£103m) release clause as the only port of call to secure a deal.
His World Cup hat-trick will have helped Benfica to demand such a lofty figure, as he helped Portugal to blow away Switzerland in the round of 16 in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Boasting a 9.8 rating in that game, the 21-year-old scored three goals and set up another in an offensive masterclass from the youngster. He supplement this with five shots on target and two key passes during the 6-1 rout (via Sofascore).
In fact, his average Sofascore rating across the tournament as a whole (7.22) far exceeded his legendary compatriot Ronaldo (6.46).
This international success is only an extender of Ramos’ already outstanding domestic form, further proving Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig’s notion that the 21-year-old is “incredibly prolific”.
After 21 games across the Portuguese top flight and Champions League this season, the five-cap international boasts 14 goals and six assists. He is averaging nearly one goal contribution per game, which would hint that his team essentially starts almost every game 1-0 up whenever he starts.
It is this kind of clinical attacking nature that the Saints have lacked, and it is what they will need in order to propel themselves up the table from January onward.
It is clear from their paltry goals tally that Southampton need some added firepower, and although it may seem a lofty ambition to sign Ramos, Jones can continue to dream.
In turn, he might be able to dispose of Adams, who just hasn’t scored enough to steer the Saints into a comfortable position in the league.