Why Southampton should look at Ismet Luskahu as one for the future

According to claims from Swedish outlet  Eskilstuna-Kuriren, Southampton are monitoring the development of Kosovan U-21 international Ismet Luskahu, with a view to a potential move in the near future. 

Luskahu, who currently plies his trade with AFC Eskilstuna in the Swedish Allsvenskan, has caught the eye with a string of impressive displays in his breakout season in the Swedish top-flight. 

The 19-year-old, who is essentially a central midfielder by trade, rose through the youth ranks at lower-division club IFK Eskilstuna, before switching boats to join AFC Eskilstuna at the U-19 level back in January 2017. 

Luskaku’s rapid development prompted the Swedish outfit to fast track him into the first-team fold prior to the start of the ongoing campaign and the youngster has enjoyed a promising start to his senior professional career so far, making a total of 12 appearances for Eskilstuna in the league. 

The 19-year-old is already an established player for Kosovo at the U-21 level and impressed for his nation at the UEFA U-21 European Championship in Italy and San Marino earlier in the summer but it seems as if his performances are now beginning to attract interest from the Premier League, with Southampton keeping tabs on his progress. 

Southampton pride themselves in bringing through top-quality young players and, to that end, the appointment of Ralph Hasenhuttl, has proven to be an incredible piece of business for the club hierarchy, with the manager laying a lot of emphasis on promoting starlets from the club’s widely-revered youth academy.  

The Austrian boss, who had carved out a huge reputation for his proficiency in working with burgeoning young talents during his managerial stint at RB Leipzig in Germany, has adopted a similar approach at St. Mary’s and his youth project has already shown signs of paying rich dividends. 

Academy starlets Yan Valery and Michael Obafemi have enjoyed quite a lot of involvement in recent times, while Southampton splashing the cash to recruit young talents like Che Adams and Moussa Djenepo in the summer is also indicative of the club’s renewed faith in youngsters. 

In all honesty, it won’t be too long before the Saints start reaping the rewards of such a forward-thinking policy and with Hasenhuttl at the helm of affairs, the fans can rest assured that the futures of the youngsters at the club are in safe hands. 

Ismet Luskahu has made the transition to senior football in Sweden but the level of competition is a lot higher in England and he would probably be drafted into the U-23 ranks initially if a move does materialize in the near future.

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The links with Luskahu is also an indication of the fact that the Saints are spreading their net to unearth gems from all corners of the globe. 

All in all, Ismet Luskahu looks like a real talent at this stage of his career and Southampton should continue to monitor his progress and decide their stance accordingly.