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Do Southampton really need to acquire the services of Jordan Lukaku?
Reports across the UK this week have claimed that Southampton are interested in left-back and brother of Romelu, Jordan Lukaku.
The Belgian defender is currently playing for K.V. Oostende in his home country but is to the Premier League.
At 21 years of age there is no doubt that Lukaku has plenty of time to develop his game but do Southampton and manager Claude Puel really need to spend money on a left-back?
Lukaku played in the quarterfinal of Euro 2016 against Wales where he filled in for the injured Jan Vertonghen in his nations’ 3-1 defeat.
Based on that performance, the Saints would be much better off focusing their minds on positions that need filling, such as a winger or a striker, because the defender appeared to be out of his depth.
The inflated prices of young players would probably result in the club paying well over the market value for a signature that the Saints do not need.
One of the highlights of the south coast clubs’ preseason was seeing England left-back Ryan Bertrand sign a new contract.
The ex-Chelsea defender signed a new five-year contract earlier this month and has become a fan favourite and a certain starter.
Bertrand’s understudy comes in the form of academy graduate, Matt Targett, who put together a string of impressive performances, whilst playing in a 5-3-2 formation last season.
Lukaku is able to boast a height and power greater than both Bertrand and Targett but showed nervousness on the ball.
Bertrand has found himself on both corner and occasionally, free kick duty due to his ability to whip the ball with his left foot.
Additionally, Southampton fans are extremely proud of players that come through the academy and they possess far more patience with these players.
For example, midfielder James Ward-Prowse has failed in recent seasons to live up to expectations but still has full support of the fans. Targett earned the respect of the fans last season when the team went through a difficult patch of results but the 20-year-old remained as one of the standout performers.
Puel, Les Reed and the rest of the board at Southampton should be aiming to bolster their attacking options in preparation for next seasons’ Europa League campaign and avoid paying absurd money for Lukaku.
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