SAINTS should revisit a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear after their opening approach was reportedly rejected.
The St Mary’s side need to replace Ross Stewart, after the 30 year old left the club following a contract dispute this summer.
He was the Championship’s most prolific scorer last season, netting eight goals despite limited minutes because of his previous injury concerns.
While Saints secured Cyle Larin on a permanent deal after he also scored eight during his loan from Mallorca, they remain a number nine short.
Currently, Damion Downs and Cameron Archer are Tonda Eckert’s next best options, but neither should be relied upon by a side targeting promotion.
Downs, 21, has not been written off by senior Saints staff, but he struggled to make an impact at St Mary’s and failed to impress on loan at Hamburg.
Archer, meanwhile, proved a useful auxiliary striker during the closing weeks of last season, but he lacks the physical presence to lead the line.
That is why Saints, according to Football London, made an approach to sign Spurs striker Lankshear, alongside Sporting CP and Wolves.
The 21 year old scored 11 goals in 43 appearances on loan at Oxford United last season and showed he can become a real handful at this level.
The report stated that the offers were either permanent deals worth eight figures (£10million+) or loan moves containing obligations to buy.
Whether Saints decide to return with an improved proposal remains to be seen, but Lankshear appears to fit exactly the profile Eckert needs.
At six-foot two-inches tall, Lankshear is a clinical poacher with experience of big games, including scoring against Galatasaray in the Europa League.
The England youth international could provide the focal point required to recreate the successful rotation between Stewart and Larin.
A worthwhile alternative
If Saints are unsuccessful in landing Lankshear, there is another young English striker who could provide a cost-effective alternative.
Manchester City are reportedly staging an internal showcase game, with scouts from across the UK and Europe invited to watch several fringe players.
Divin Mubama is expected to feature after spending last season on his first senior loan at Championship side Stoke City.
The 21 year old former West Ham academy striker, who scored a hat-trick against Saints in the 2022 FA Youth Cup semi-final, remains a raw talent.
He scored five goals before an ankle ligament injury cut short his season in January, with three of those coming in a hat-trick against Bristol City.
That means he found the net only twice across his other 25 appearances, highlighting that he is still developing - but his trajectory is on the up.
But at six feet tall and powerfully built, Mubama possesses the physical attributes to lead the line when Saints need to rotate or rest Larin.
If Man City sanction a straight loan, he could represent an inexpensive solution to the final gap in Eckert’s squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.