Southampton to target development through possible deal for Joe Shields

Southampton could possibly be on the verge of taking a large leap ahead of their undertaking on the south coast of England this summer season because the Saints are eyeing a transfer for Manchester Metropolis’s Joe Shields.

Shields is the present head of academy recruitment at Metropolis, however as reported by the Telegraph, in addition to switch insider Fabrizio Romano, Southampton are concentrating on Shields to grow to be the pinnacle of first-team “participant buying and selling.”

Southampton are concentrating on Man Metropolis head of academy recruitment Joe Shields, as per @SamWallaceTel. Talks nicely superior, Chelsea additionally wished him however Shields is able to be a part of Southampton. ⚪️?? #SaintsFC

Sancho, Delap and lots of different abilities joined Man Metropolis underneath Shields interval.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 17, 2022

The 35-year-old has performed a powerful job up so far on the blue half of Manchester, with gifted younger gamers the likes of Jadon Sancho, Liam Delap, Romeo Lavia, Finley Burns, Luke Mbete, and Ben Knight having all made their strategy to Metropolis courtesy of Shields throughout his tenure.

However Shields may have a good greater function at Southampton that will straight faucet into his stage of experience in terms of surveying the marketplace for younger expertise because the Saints have continued their efforts to herald gamers of promise that may instantly contribute.

Southampton have already introduced in a single younger expertise this summer season in Gavin Bazunu from Man Metropolis, whereas final season noticed the St. Mary’s outfit full offers for Chelsea pair Armando Broja (mortgage), and Tino Livramento, with Mohammed Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo arriving the season earlier than.

A possible deal for Shields may see the membership go into overdrive relating to a long-term constructing plan for the primary workforce underneath still-highly valued supervisor Ralph Hasenhüttl, with the aforementioned Lavia additionally on the Saints’ radar for a possible summer season swoop.

This text was edited by
Conor Laird.