Southampton: Saints miss out on Alex Collado | OneFootball

Southampton were credited with an interest in Barcelona midfielder Alex Collado recently, but the Spaniard is set to complete a move to Club Brugge, which is another setback for Ralph Hasenhuttl.

What’s the word?

According to Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio (via Tribuna football), the 22-year-old is expected to join Club Brugge, despite interest from Sampdoria, Porto, Fiorentina and Southampton.

So far this summer, Hasenhuttl has signed Theo Walcott, Romain Perraud, Dynel Simeu and Tino Livramento on permanent deals, which still leaves open the possibility of bringing in a loan signing.

The move for Manchester United’s Brandon Williams looks to have fallen through due to the wages that they were demanding, as well as the recent arrival of Livramento, so perhaps Southampton were looking to loan in an attacker instead?

Would Collado have been a good signing?

Since joining Barcelona from Espanyol in 2010, Collado has progressed through La Masia into the first-team, although he has managed just two appearances in his career thus far.

Therefore, it is no surprise to see him leaving on loan, and his performances with Barcelona B and his versatility suggest that he could’ve been a stellar addition to Hasenhuttl’s side.

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The £4.5m-rated ace managed 18 goals and 11 assists in 83 appearances for the Barcelona B team and has featured in a number of positions in the midfield and an attack.

He predominantly features in the centre of midfield, and whilst there is plenty of competition in that position, he would offer a very different option to the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu and Ibrahima Diallo.

As a product of the La Masia academy, Collado will undoubtedly be very confident in possession and capable of a defensive-splitting pass, so could have been an excellent option for Hasenuhttl to bring on to try and change the game, as too often last season they struggled to come back into games once going behind.

Therefore, the Austrian will be gutted that Southampton have missed out on another transfer target, and will be hoping that he can bring in attacking reinforcements before the window ends.

And, in other news… Imagine him and JWP: Semmens should seal Saints move for beast who “always performs”