According to Sky Sports, Southampton are interested in signing Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge this month after a previous report in The Telegraph on December 28 suggested they were keen to bring the England international to St Mary’s on loan.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Sky Sports says that while Saints are tracking Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, they understand that The Telegraph story that said they are keen on a loan move for Sturridge is wide of the mark.
The Telegraph had previously reported that the south coast outfit would be keen to bring the 28-year-old proven goalscorer in this month if he was available on loan, as they look to boost a team that is struggling for goals and only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.
How has Sturridge done this season?
He has struggled to play regularly.
The form of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have often meant that he has started matches on the substitutes’ bench, although he has scored three goals and provided a further three assists in 14 appearances in all competitions this term.
Injury issues have often overshadowed the 28-year-old’s time at Anfield, and after recovering from a hamstring problem at the beginning of the campaign he has now missed Liverpool’s last seven Premier League matches with a niggle and then through illness.
Should Southampton be in for him this month?
If he is available, they absolutely should be.
The fact is that unless Liverpool are to bring in a new striker this month then Jurgen Klopp will likely want to keep the centre-forward as cover, but if he is sent out on loan or sold permanently then Saints have to be interested.
They have struggled for goals since the start of last season and while his injury record would mean that signing him is a risk, the fact that 75 goals in 194 Premier League appearances and 64 in 133 outings for the Merseyside outfit show the ability he has to find the net.
That quality in front of goal could be the difference between Southampton going down or staying up this term.