Saints can land their own Saka in Aboukhlal

Southampton are reportedly contemplating a transfer for Toulouse winger Zakaria Aboukhlal forward of the January switch window, and he could possibly be Ralph Hasenhuttl’s personal model of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka ought to he make the transfer to St Mary’s.

In response to Football Insider, each Southampton and Leicester Metropolis are eager on signing the younger winger after a powerful begin to the season with Toulouse in Ligue 1.

It’s steered that each Premier League sides will hold tabs on the 22-year-old forward of subsequent month’s World Cup, the place Aboukhlal is anticipated to characteristic for Morocco.

Toulouse solely signed Aboukhlal from AZ Alkmaar through the summer season switch window for a charge of £2m however they might quickly lose the teen after his excellent begin to life in France, with three objectives and three assists in 12 league appearances to this point this season.

It’s straightforward to see why Hasenhuttl and Southampton are eager on attacking reinforcement, contemplating that they’ve managed simply 11 objectives within the Premier League to this point this season, whereas solely Che Adams and Joe Aribo have scored more than once within the high flight.

Ought to Southampton convey Aboukhlal to the Premier League in January, he might show to be Hasenhuttl’s very personal Saka, with FBref suggesting that the England worldwide is the fourth-most related participant to the Moroccan by way of model of play.

Ought to Southampton signal Aboukhlal?

Up to now this season, the 2 wingers have registered very related numbers by way of anticipated assists (each 1.6), pictures per 90 (2.57 vs 2.42) and profitable dribbles (14 vs 16).

WhoScored additionally means that each Saka and Aboukhlal like to chop inside, present layoffs and play brief passes, so it’s clear that they’re each technically gifted wingers.

Contemplating the Arsenal man has been one of many star performers in Mikel Arteta’s table-topping facet to this point this season, with WhoScored rating him because the second-best participant within the squad, Aboukhlal would certainly be an thrilling addition to Hasenhuttl’s facet.

Subsequently, director of soccer Matt Crocker ought to undoubtedly look to convey the Moroccan to St Mary’s in January.