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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to talkSPORT, Southampton are one of three English clubs interested in signing Maritimo midfielder Josip Vukovic before the transfer deadline next week, and his potential arrival at St Mary’s would surely spell the end of Harrison Reed’s Saints career.
What’s the word, then?
Well, talkSPORT report that Saints, along with Leeds United and Aston Villa, are keen on the Croatian defensive midfielder.
TalkSPORT report that if manager Ralph Hasenhuttl manages to offload some of the deadwood in his squad over the course of the next six days, he could win the race for the 24-year-old – rated at £1.5m by the Portuguese club.
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From Southampton’s point of view much could depend on whether Mario Lemina stays or goes, with the Gabon international frozen out of first-team proceedings and being heavily linked with a move to Everton in recent days.
The end for Harrison Reed
Saints don’t have a great deal of depth in a defensive midfield position right now, with James Ward-Prowse and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looking far from comfortable shielding the backline during the 3-1 pre-season friendly win against Feyenoord on Sunday in the absence of the injured Oriol Romeu.
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Reed has returned to St Mary’s this summer following consecutive year-long loan spells with Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers, and at 24 years of age you feel it is a case of now or never for the academy graduate.
He did appear in the second half at the De Kuip stadium at the weekend, and was his usual all-action self as he bombed around the pitch looking to win the ball back.
It appears the midfielder still has plenty to do to convince Hasenhuttl that he is worthy of a regular spot in the squad however, and the arrival of Vukovic would be a devastating blow.
According to WhoScored, the Croatian showed his defensive skills in 25 Primeira Liga outings last term, making 1.8 interceptions and 1.8 tackles on average per game, while also showing that he wins the ball back and then can set his team on the counter having averaged 2.7 long balls.
Given he plays in a similar position to Reed, it would be difficult to see him carrying on at Southampton if this deal goes through before the window slams shut.
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