Southampton Opinion: Why the Saints should take a punt on Florian Aye?
According to a report from Turkish outlet Haberturk, Southampton are in a race with SuperLig outfit Fenerbahce for the signature of Clermont Foot striker Florian Aye—as well as Leeds United and West Ham.
Florian Aye, 22, was involved in 21 goals in the Ligue 2 this season, scoring 17 goals and registering four league assists, and seems to have attracted lots of attention from different clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
The France U20’s international is in contract with Clermont Foot until 2021 but with the Ligue 2 club failing to achieve promotion, the forward could be prised away from France this summer. That being said, Southampton should do everything possible to win the race for Florian Aye’s services.
Southampton narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League under Ralph Hasenhuttl. The Austrian tactician has made a huge difference since arriving at the St. Mary’s, as he changed the team’s style of play and made players work more on their fitness.
Hasenhuttl is a promoter of young talents and he has done exactly that at Southampton, thus putting a stamp over his team. After saving the Saints from relegation, he now needs to recruit smartly to help the club challenge a top-10 finish next term.
Putting the ball into the back of the net was a problem for Southampton this past season. Danny Ings started the season well but injuries again robbed him, while Charlie Austin endured another disappointing campaign at the St. Mary’s. Shane Long and Nathan Redmond looked lively under Hasenhuttl, but they don’t fall in the bracket of prolific goal-scorers.
That’s why signing a striker is the need of an hour for the Saints, and Hasenhuttl would do a good job by securing the signature of Florian Aye.
Aye has been a hit at Clermont Foot since joining from Auxerre last summer. He managed just six goals in 55 outings for Auxerre but has significantly improved his form in front of goal this time around. The 22-year-old forward is noted for his pace, strength and finishing ability and his style of play makes him a perfect fit at Southampton.
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Although there is no doubting that Aye is a goalscorer, and has had a solid season in the Ligue 2, the step up to the Premier League may prove to be too much for the Frenchman. That must not deter Southampton and Hasenhuttl should take a punt on the 22-year-old to solve his team’s goalscoring conundrum.
Verdict
If Aye can replicate anything like the form that he has shown in France in the 2018/19 campaign, he could potentially prove to be a brilliant signing for Southampton.
