Who is the Southampton target with 42 goals in 142 appearances? Everything you need to know

Scout Report – Guido Carrillo

As per reports from the Daily Mail, Southampton are plotting a move for AS Monaco striker Guido Carrillo in the January transfer window.  

The Saints have been struggling to put teams away this season and find themselves in a precarious position in the Premier League, sitting 17th in the table. Manager Mauricio Pellegrino is under pressure to start delivering results and is keen on bolstering his attacking ranks ahead of the second half of the campaign.

The Spaniard seems to have identified Carrillo as the man to offer a solution to his side’s attacking woes and stave off relegation.

Here we take a close look at who Guido Carrillo is and what will he be bringing to the table, if Southampton sign him; 

Footballing Background

Born on 25 May 1991, in Magdalena, Argentina, Carrillo started off his playing career with Argentine side Estudiantes and having graduated through their youth academy, the forward made his senior debut for the club in 2011.  

Carrillo enjoyed a decent tenure at the club, scoring 42 goals in 142 appearances before Monaco came calling in the summer of 2015. The Principality-based outfit signed him up for a fee reported to be in the range of €8.8million on a five-year contract, amid interest from the likes of Inter Milan and Olympiacos.  

He made his debut for the club in the 3-1 win over BSC Young Boys on 28 July 2015 in the UEFA Champions League qualifying stages, scoring a goal in the victory. Carrillo scored five goals and made three assists in 40 games (16 starts) across all competitions.  

In the 2016/17 campaign, the centre-forward managed to improve his tally, finishing with eight strikes and five assists in 31 games (9 starts) across all competitions, as Monaco went on to win the Ligue 1 title under Leonardo Jardim. In the current season, Carrillo has six goals and assist to his name in 22 appearances (3 starts).  

Style of Play

A centre-forward by trade, Carrillo is a tall and imposing figure standing at over 6ft 2in tall and is known for his aerial abilities. The 26-year old poses a significant threat in set-piece situations owing to his strong heading prowess and the physicality aspect of his game.

He is also known to be a lethal finisher and has, on occasions, been compared to Frech legend David Trezeguet. A goal poacher by nature, the Argentine can lead the line by himself but relishes and excels when playing in a system with two strikers. 

What Does the Future Hold?

Southampton desperately need a striker, given the dry spells that the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long are going through. With the threat of relegation looming large, new firepower at the top is something that they need urgently.  

While Carrillo hasn’t been a prolific goalscorer in recent years, which is mostly due to the limited amount of playing time he has been getting at Monaco, he is someone the Southampton manager knows well from their days together at Estudiantes. The 26-year old has shown glimpses of what he can do if given a regular run in the side and could turn things around for the Saints if signed.