Southampton are reportedly interested in signing Schalke 04 midfielder Weston McKennie in this summer’s transfer window.
Having lost Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are hopeful of luring McKennie to the south coast ahead of the 2020/21 campaign as a replacement for the Denmark international.
Southampton are also expected to sanction the sale of midfielder Harrison Reed to Fulham for a fee around £8 million according to the London Evening Standard.
The Saints are aiming to better their position from the just ended season and are hoping some good additions this summer could be the key to achieving their targets.
Southampton on Tuesday were reported to have began talks with the Bundesliga side for the signature of the 21-year-old, as they look to beat other interested clubs to the player’s signature.
However, the Premier League side will have to do away with three players in order to secure the signature of American international.
Mario Lemina, Wesley Hoedt and Guido Carrillo are players who are reported to be far from finding their way back into the Southampton team, and the club is open to the sale of all three this summer to fund a move for McKennie.
Sky Sports also claim the player is keen to move to England ahead of next season, and a move to Southampton is edging closer to completion, though no fee has been agreed between both clubs.
McKennie’s talent gives Hasenhuttl a wide range of options to consider as coach. Despite playing mostly as a midfielder, the 21-year-old can step in for his side as a makeshift centre-back or a cover at right-back.
The summer at St Mary’s have started brightly, after tying Kyle Walker-Peters to a permanent contract from Tottenham and securing the signature of defender Mohammed Salisu from Real Valladolid earlier this month.
