West Brom are favourites to sign Southampton forward jay Rodriguez. It has been said Tony Pulis has always admired the striker and has already attempted twice to bring the ex Burnley man to The Hawthornes, both offers being blocks by Southampton because they wanted him as back up.
Reports claim that Newcastle and Jay’s hometown Burnley are trying to wheel him in but it is understood that Rodriguez is keen to work under Pulis at the Hawthornes. With West Brom looking the favourites, Pulis will be looking to finalise the deal in less than a weeks time for Rodriguez who is valued around 15 million and look to strike up a deal of around 12 million which will cap Rodriguez to be the Baggies first signing of the summer.
Albion also reportedly looking to buy ex Chelsea star and captain John Terry to add to the squad after the departure of club captain Darren Fletcher, but face competition with Swansea, Watford and midland rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham interested in the centre halfs signature.
Rodriguez, 27, got off to a flying start with his Southampton career back in 2012, by also grabing himself an England first team call up, But has had a tough time the last couple of years at Southampton since overcoming his knee injury with only netting 6 goals in his 2016/2017 season with just starting 9 premier league games under recent manager Claude Puel. lurking in the shadows of Charlie Austin, Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long. It’s said Rodriguez will be looking for a fresh start with the Baggies.
Rodriguez joined Southampton from his home town club Burnley in 2012 for a fee of around 7 million. The hitman scored 41 goals in 128 appearances for the clarets in 2007. He then caught Southampton’s eye where he established himself in England’s top division he’s netted 35 goals in 125 appearances for the saints.
If Jay Rodriguez does join the Baggies for the 2017/2018 season he will be fighting for a place in the first team with the likes of Salomon Rondon and Hal Robson – Kanu. Saido Berahino was sold to Stoke in January but missed the first half of the season having served a drugs ban and being ruled unfit by the club, West Brom will be looking to add to their attacking fire power.
But what does this mean for Southampton?
Southampton are reportedly offering youngster Sam Gallagher a long term contract who spent last season onloan to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, and Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini who have pretty much secured their place in the team. Shane Long also struggled from last season and struggled to adapt to Claude Puel’s formation and tactics looks to fight to be in the starting line up.
Reports also suggest that saints are looking to strengthen up their attacking line after the announcment of Mauricio Pellegrino as the new manager. With Les Reed stating earlier in the week ‘Non of our players are for sale. I can make it any plainer than that’ he also added ‘We built this squad over some time and think we have a strong squad. We will fine-tune it but, other than that, we are looking forward to a very competitive season’.
New Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has given the green light for Rodriguez to leave the club and will not stand in the way of doing so. So It is seen that he might be open to Jay Rodriguez’s situation which can be a good move for the 27 year old to try and get back to old form.