"All the difference" - Carlton Palmer warns Leeds and Ipswich after Southampton land David Brooks | OneFootball

Highlights

Southampton have confirmed the signing of David Brooks from Bournemouth.

The Saints have been keen to bolster their attacking options prior to Thursday’s 11pm transfer deadline.

Russell Martin will be happy to have brought the Wales international into the fold, with the Championship club fighting for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Joe Rothwell is the only other player to arrive at St. Mary’s this month, with Carlos Alcaraz set for a move to Serie A giants Juventus.

Brooks has signed as part of a loan agreement to the end of the campaign with the Cherries, with no option or obligation to make the deal permanent in the summer.

EFL pundit Carlton Palmer believes that the signings Southampton, Leeds United, and Ipswich Town make in the final stages of the window could be decisive in the automatic promotion race - in a warning to the Saints' rivals.

The former midfielder has claimed that Brooks could possess the extra bit of quality that Martin’s team needs to secure a place back in the Premier League.

“Bournemouth have agreed to loan David Brooks to Southampton until the end of the season,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Bournemouth were reluctant to let David leave the club but understood Brooks’ position.

“He’s keen for regular game time before the crucial play-off qualifiers for Wales for this summer’s Euros.

“Southampton hope that Brooks could be the difference in a tight promotion race, with Saints sitting third, a point off the automatic spots.

“I think it’s between Leeds, Southampton and Ipswich for the final second automatic spot.

“The three clubs are separated by two points, with Leeds having played a game more.

“The signings that these three clubs make could make all the difference with this extra bit of quality enabling them to get over the line.”

Southampton are currently third in the Championship table, just one point behind Ipswich in second.

Leeds gained ground on the pair last week when they played an extra fixture against Norwich City.

A 1-0 win brought Daniel Farke’s side up to within one point of the Saints, but they have now played a game more than their rivals.

Leicester City are a further 10 points ahead of the Tractor Boys, having also played a game more following their 3-1 victory over Swansea City on Tuesday evening.

Next up for Southampton is a trip to face Rotherham United on 3 February, where Brooks may even make his debut for the club.

Statement of intent from Southampton

The Saints have been in great form ever since starting their unbeaten run at the end of September.

Martin’s team are the most in-form in the division and have really started to gel in the last couple of months, overhauling a big deficit to catch right back up to Ipswich.

The club could have easily opted to stick with what they had instead of being active in the January window.

But the arrival of Brooks could be the injection of extra attacking quality they need to get over the line in the race for a top flight place, which makes it a smart addition.

The 26-year-old has shown his quality in both the Championship and Premier League previously so should prove a really useful weapon for Martin to have in the second half of the campaign.