Ronald Koeman says discussions have been had about potential January signings, with the window set to open in just over a week.
With Sadio Mané and Emmanuel Mayuka heading off on international duty with Senegal and Zambia respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Saints boss has outlined a need to bring in an attack-minded player in the window.
“We have already spoke about the transfer window,” Koeman said. “We need one or two players in front because we don’t have a lot of choices. We will lose Sadio in January as he will play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“That means we will need good attacking players and we are looking for that and working on that.”
One name he was asked about at his press conference on Tuesday was Werder Bremen’s Eljero Elia. Koeman said: “It’s one of the players on our list to try to bring in this January but it’s not done. I am interested in the player.
“If finally the player signs for Southampton I think it’s a good option. We need a player in that position. He’s a wing player and normally we play always with a left-wing player and a right-wing player and we like in our style fast people who can play one-against-one with qualities.
“He’s one of our options. He was a Dutch international and has not had such a good period in Germany but I believe in the qualities of the player.”
As well as Mayuka and Mané, Maya Yoshida will head away with Japan for the 2015 AFC Asia Cup finals, leaving Koeman without three members of his squad for much of January.
“We will have three players who will play for the national teams. Mayuka will go now this weekend because we have more players available in that position,” Koeman added.
“I spoke to the national coach of Japan and Maya will stay until after the game against Arsenal. Sadio will stay until after the game against Ipswich (in the FA Cup).”
Share this: