Southampton scouting Arsenal target

Southampton scouts were in Portugal over the weekend to cast their eye over a game between Benfica and Boavista, and were taking particular interest in Benfica’s Goncalo Guedes, according to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness).

The Portugal U21 international, who has bagged seven goals and nine assists in 28 appearances for the Liga Nos side this season, could be another Portuguese success on the south coast, following in the footsteps of European Championship winners Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares.

The Saints are in desperate need of goals this season, having netted just 19 in the Premier League this season, especially with top scorer Charlie Austin sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The 20-year-old has, however, also been linked with a move to Premier League Arsenal as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia, meaning manager Claude Puel will have a battle on his hands.

Furthermore, the striker also reportedly has a whopping £52m release clause in his current contract, more than three times the club record fee which Saints paid for Moroccan winger Sofiane Boufal.