Should Southampton sign Marcus Bettinelli to replace Alex McCarthy as the Saints try to fight off relegation?
Southampton are 16th in the Premier League, thanks to the win over Arsenal in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first home win as their new manager. However, for Hasenhuttl the problem starts now, as the Saints face a massive fight in their battle to avoid relegation but also the new boss has to fight to keep their stars as the January window approaches.
The Daily Mail has revealed that Fulham star Marcus Bettinelli has been tracked and marked for scouting by Southampton as they look to replace Alex McCarthy.
The current shot-stopper has been marked as well by teams within the Premier League and in all likelihood could move in the winter window.
Bettinelli was former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic’s top choice before he was replaced by Sergio Rico, who arrived on loan from Sevilla.
The 26-year-old was in great form which even led to him being called up by Gareth Southgate, playing deputy to Jordan Pickford. His performances have dipped in the leading months but that hasn’t stopped Southampton from scouting the Englishman.
However, what the Saints need is someone who can score more goals for them as well as improving their midfield during the winter window.
Hasenhuttl is going to have a tough time keeping his best players in January unless he can somehow improve Southampton’s league position before that happens.
It needs to improve, especially if they are trying to lure in Marcus Bettinelli who at this moment is Gareth Southgate’s second choice behind only Jordan Pickford. If the 26-year-old does join, however, Hasenhuttl gets a brilliant replacement if McCarthy does end up leaving in the near future. But what could prove to be a major roadblock in the winter-window is the fact that Sergio Rico is currently on loan at Fulham.
The Sevilla shot-stopper in all likelihood will return to his parent club at the end of the season and that would mean, that Bettinelli could get a chance to become Fulham’s number one once again.
The 26-year-old certainly has a choice to make in the near future, because a move could reinvigorate his career and in all likelihood, he’d get another chance to feature in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. But then again, that’s only if Alex McCarthy leaves.
