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Transfers
Striker admits he ‘really wanted’ £17.5m Southampton transfer but then changed his mind
Russell Martin’s Southampton may be left ruing their inability to bring in another centre-forward from almost the first minute of the Premier League season to the last.
With Adam Armstrong yet to prove tꦿhat he can translate his prolific Championship form onto the big stage♐, and with Cameron Archer missing a penalty in that defeat to Manchester United, a lack of goals already looks like The Saints’ Achilles heel.
Still winless thanks to Sam Morsy’s 95th minute equaliser in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, no team in the division has scored fewer than Southampton.
Their return of two is half the next best – or shouldꦬ that be next worst? – tal🐻ly posted by Crystal Palace.
So their failure to strike a deal with Corinthians for Brazil international centre-forward Yuri Alberto may be a source of disappointment which transcends the transfer wi🎉ndow and lingers throughout th❀e season.
Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto explains failed Southampton move
Southampton🐭 offered a loan-to-buy deal for Alberto, report.
A deal that would have seen the former Zenit St Petersburg man – Alberto has been likened to Barcelona🔥 superstar Robert Lewandowski – a𝓀rrive on a temporary basis initially, although with the option to make his transfer pe🍌rmanent for £17.5 million.
Speaking ahead of Corinthians’ 3-0 victory over Fortaleza this week, a game in w🦩hich Alberto won the Man of the🌠 Match, the 23-year-old admitted that he was initially keen on a switch to St Mary’s.
“I had,” Alberto said when asked if he’d shownౠ interest🅺 in joining Southampton, speaking at his post-match press conference.
“[But] I’m focused on ♍the end of the season. We know these are very important games, so there’s no time to think about these things. Today, I’m only thinking about Corinthians and helping Corinthians.”
HITC understands that due to the finances involve🥂d. And, also, due to the fact they had few spaces left in their official Premier League roster.
The Saints, at 💮the time, were still looking to bring in a goalkeeper and a wide forward. They would end the window bringing in Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal an𒉰d Maxwel Cornet from West Ham.
West Ham and Wolves have targeted Brazil international Yuri Alberto
Alberto, meanwhile, insists that he had been con🅠vinced to stay put anyway🎃. Corinthians are battling against relegation.
And their 18-goal, perennially exit-linked top scorer – Alberto was linked with West Ham recently and saw a move to Wolves fail to materialise in January – kno𒈔ws that the task falls upon him to save on♏e of the sleeping giants of South American football.
“There was a time where I really wanted [to leave],” adds the striker. “But we 🐼had an internal conversation here. I really appreciate everyone’s support, including the president’s. [He has] 🐬a lot of faith in my work.
“I was going through a fragile moment with a lot of🌜 pressure on myself. This may have made me a little bit tougher and given me a little bit more strength.
“[I stayed] because of the trust everyone had in me. That is very important. Many times, when you are going through a ꦏdiffic😼ult period, you let your guard down a little but these people gave me positive energy.
“‘Wow, Yuri, 🃏we know what you are capable of’. That is what made me stay.”
Southampton face So🌠uth Coast rivals AFC Bournemouth on 🎃Monday.