After a deal for Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow fell apart due to a failed medical, Southampton pivoted to a more expensive signing, bringing in former Arsenal starter Aaron Ramsdale to be their next keeper.
Southampton are trying to make assorted upgrades to their squad in the final days of the summer 2024 transfer window, because the last thing they want is to fall back to the Championship after climbing to the Premier League again.
The Saints would like to acquire a little more attacking juice, and they have found a potential bargain option from another Premier League side in West Ham United.
According to a report from the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Southampton are considering a transfer for 27-year-old West Ham left winger Maxwel Cornet ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Cornet has only started three games in the last two seasons for West Ham due to injury, but, when healthy, he is one of the more talented goal-scoring inverted wingers in the Premier League.
Prior to joining West Ham, Cornet scored nine Premier League goals in a season for Burnley, so he does have a proven record of scoring success in the English top flight.
Southampton need goals, and if Cornet can stay healthy, the Ivorian international can bring additional goal-scoring quality to a Saints side that has to prepare for a likely relegation fight where goals will be at a premium.
Before coming to the Premier League, Cornet was yet another top talent produced by the Lyon academy, which is known for producing the best attacking players in French football.
Cornet had three seasons with at least five goals and two seasons with at least five assists while in Ligue 1, but he has not recorded five total goal contributions of any kind since his excellent 2021/22 season with Burnley.
In the prime of his career at 27, hopefully a move to Southampton would help Cornet get his career back on track, but, again, the big question with him his health and not talent.
