Alfie Kilgour of Bristol Rovers during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Bristol Rovers and Brighton & Hove Albion. (Getty Images)
According to the Bristol Live, Southampton are among a host of English clubs interested in signing Bristol Rovers defender Alfie Kilgour.
A youth product of the Bristol Rovers academy, Alfie Kilgour, 21, has enjoyed his breakthrough campaign this term, managing 33 appearances in Football League One so far. He has become a crucial player for Ben Garner’s side, catching the attention of Bournemouth, Millwall and Queens Park Rangers, the report adds.
The centre-back, who has had loan spells with Mangotsfield United, Cirencester Town, Hungerford Town and Maidenhead United, netted a 30-yard screamer against Blackpool to put himself in contention for the Football League’s Goal of the Season award.
Meanwhile, Southampton have been below-par this season and are currently 14th in the table. Before the Premier League season was suspended, they had won just once in their last five league games. They are just seven points above the drop zone as Ralph Hasenhuttl has nine games to finish the campaign on a high note when it resumes.
Apart from Danny Ings who has netted 15 goals this term, the Saints forwards Shane Long, Michael Obafemi, Sofiane Boufal, Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo have not been at their best. This has seen Hasenhuttl’s side muster just 35 goals in 29 games.
At the other end of the pitch, Southampton have leaked goals at an alarming rate. They have conceded a staggering 52 goals in 29 games, with none of Hasenhuttl’s defenders putting in consistent performances. Thus, it’s a no-brainer to strengthen the defensive options and Hasenhuttl should do everything possible to win Alfie Kilgour’s signature.
Kilgour is one of the rising stars in Football League One this season, racking up three goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. He looks like a fine young talent in the right age bracket. The Bristol Rovers man is still young for a centre-back but interest from a host of English clubs does speak volumes of his talent and potential.
The Bath-born defender would certainly strengthen the Saints’ defensive unit, whilst bringing depth to Hasenhuttl’s squad. Kilgour has shown his ability to perform in Football League One this season and while the Premier League is a different level altogether, he would be a valuable long-term asset at St. Mary’s if he is able to replicate the same form he has shown with Bristol Rovers.
Predominantly a centre-back, Kilgour has shown his versatility by playing well across a back three and at right-back this term. Such versatility should definitely make him a handy acquisition for Hasenhuttl, who has mainly used 4-2-2-2 and 3-5-2 formations at Southampton.
Southampton’s lack of quality at the back clearly indicates that they need to bring in quality young defenders to the team. And Kilgour, who is just 21, could provide them with the required depth. He has gone from strength to strength this season and can be seen as a future star.
