16 goals, 3 assists – This in-form Championship star would have helped Southampton in their relegation fight for sure

Why Southampton have missed a big trick in not signing Che Adams

According to a report from Sky Sports, Birmingham City star Che Adams was a top target for a lot of Premier League clubs, but Southampton appeared to have led the race for his signature during the January transfer window. However, Birmingham successfully managed to hold onto their top scorer last month.

Che Adams, 22, has been in smashing form for Birmingham City this season. He has already netted 16 goals and supplied 3 assists in 30 league games, forming a deadly strike partnership with Lukas Jutkiewicz, who himself has 10 goals to his name.

The 22-year-old’s form had rightly caught the attention of a host of Premier League clubs, including Southampton in January and it looked as if he could be lured away from St Andrew’s last month.

Southampton’s interest in Che Adams shows that Ralph Hasenhuttl looked to increase his squad’s attacking threat. Hasenhuttl has done a brilliant job since replacing Mark Hughes at St. Mary’s, with the team currently playing a free-flow, attacking brand of football.

The Austrian’s system has seen the likes of Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse thrive, but goals from centre-forwards have been tough to come by.

The Saints offloaded Manolo Gabbiadini in January and that has left Hasenhuttl with Charlie Austin, Shane Long, Michael Obafemi and loanee Danny Ings as options up front. But the four have combined to produce just 11 goals and that’s a worry for Hasenhuttl, particularly with his team fighting relegation this season.

None of the strikers has consistently produced the goods for the Saints this season barring Ings, who, despite having injury problems, has scored seven times. That’s where the signing of Che Adams would have been important for Southampton.

The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the fearsome poachers in Championship football after making his name as a high-flying winger at Sheffield United.

Filled with pace, power, agility and finishing skills, Adams’ effectiveness as a lone striker or as a No.10 would have been invaluable for a Southampton side that has lacked goals this season. He might have added more pace and unpredictability to Southampton’s play in the final third.

Read more: 5 players who shouldn’t have left the PL during the winter window including Chelsea and Tottenham stars

Signing Che Adams perhaps would have been a step in the right direction for Southampton. Hasenhuttl clearly has missed a trick by not signing the Birmingham City forward as he could have been crucial in helping the Saints beat the drop.