Southampton FC
St Mary's Stadium Southampton FC

Southampton are very much interested in signing Liam Delap but the Saints have seen their first bid rejected by Manchester City.

The youngster is one of the latest prodigies to come out of the Manchester City academy which is why Guardiola’s side have rejected a £16 million proposal from the Saints.

The 19-year-old has played only six games for the senior side but he’s a proper talent in the Premier League 2. He’s scored 32 goals in 32 appearances for the U23 side and currently holds the record for most goals scored in a season in the Premier League 2.

Fabrizio Romano wrote on Twitter: “Southampton have submitted an official bid this week around £16m to sign Liam Delap on permanent deal. Manchester City have turned down the proposal.

“Delap, top target for Southampton but there’s still no agreement in place.”

Will the Saints shift their focus to Armando Broja?

The Saints badly want Liam Delap but with the new EPL season just around the corner, they will not be ready to wait too long. If they feel Man City are not going to crack then they will swiftly shift their focus to someone else.

And that someone else can very well be Chelsea’s Armando Broja.

Broja was very close to joining West Ham United but the Hammers have agreed on a deal for Gianluca Scamacca meaning the deal for the Chelsea forward is off.

Thomas Tuchel has no use of the forward so this cancelled deal with the Hammers will be a major blow for Armando Broja however, the Saints can provide him with a major lifeline.

There are rumours that if the Liam Delap deal is not happening then Moyes is likely to go after Broja, who’s more than willing to leave Stamford Bridge right now.

The Albanian international spent the previous season on loan at the St Mary’s Stadium and while he did not have the best of times at the club, at least the Saints boss knows him and his strengths very well. He scored nine goals in 38 appearances for the club and it will be a safe bet to go after him instead of putting money on a completely unknown talent.

We highly doubt if Manchester City will agree to part ways with Delap because he is a proper prodigy so the Saints might not have any other option but to make a move for Armando Broja.

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