"I'm not convinced" - Reaction given to Adam Armstrong, Southampton FC exit news | OneFootball

Armstrong could be on the Saints' chopping block this summer.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Southampton are reportedly open to selling striker Adam Armstrong this summer.

It emerged earlier this week from local journalist Alfie House that the Saints would be willing to let go of their former second-tier topscorer this summer.

Armstrong scored 24 times in the Championship regular season that led to their promotion back to the Premier League, including the goal that won the play-off final, but he wasn't able to adjust to the demands of the top flight, like many of his teammates. He was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion in January, but his struggles continued even after the drop in level.

Southampton's attacking options are set to be weakened in the coming days. Paul Onuachu has already sealed a move back to Trabzonspor for £6 million. Kamaldeen Sulemana is set to follow suit. Atalanta, whose first team is now being led by recent Saints boss Ivan Juric, have agreed a deal worth up to £18.3 million to sign the Ghanaian winger.

Southampton urged to acquire strikers amid Adam Armstrong's uncertain future

With all of these outgoings, plus Armstrong potentially moving on, Martin Sanders, Football League World's Southampton fan pundit, has urged his team to bring in goalscoring reinforcements this summer.

"They will regret selling [Armstrong] if they don't bring in an adequate replacement," Sander said. "He was brilliant last time round in the Championship. 24 goals, that vital goal in the play-off final against Leeds United. It was massive, one of the biggest goals that's ever been scored for Saints. [He'll] always be remembered for that.

"[He's] prolific at Championship level, but I did question whether he'd have the hunger, actually, to come back after not cutting it in the Premier League for the second time round. Was he really going to have the hunger to go and do it and come back and do it again? I'm not convinced that he necessarily would do to be quite honest.

"Does he want to move back north and be closer to his family? You know, he's from Newcastle. I think they might regret it if they don't bring in a replacement. You've got to find someone that's going to score 20 goals. Where do you find the striker that's going to score 24 goals? They're not easy to come by."

Strikers should be high on Southampton's summer agenda

Based off the 28-year-old's performances for West Brom last season, Southampton cannot rely on him to be the goalscorer that he was a couple of campaigns ago. Equally, though, Ross Stewart, one of the strong candidates to be Will Still's number nine next season, can't be fully trusted because of his recent injury issues.

The club's chairman, Dragan Solak, recently revealed that technical director Johannes Spor was working on a deal to bring in a much-needed talisman that he wants "no matter what." Hopes of a quick return to the peak of English football would be hugely boosted if they can find someone who can replicate what Armstrong did in the 2023/24 campaign.