Sinclair Armstrong has been a shining light for a Rangers team facing relegation this season.
With Che Adams’ future as a Southampton player clearly hanging in the balance, and the summer transfer window quickly approaching, the Saints will be looking for more attacking quality when the off-season comes around.
The former Birmingham City player was reportedly offered a new three-year agreement at St Mary’s in September but has failed to sign, fueling speculation that he will leave when his contract expires in June.
The 27-year-old has eleven goals in 35 appearances for Russell Martin’s side this season, including a consolation strike in last weekend’s 2-1 loss to relegation rivals Millwall.
However, with an exit coming, the South Coast club should be looking to Loftus Road for their next attacking star, as Sinclair Armstrong continues to shine for Queens Park Rangers.
Che Adams attracts notice from abroad.
Adams left St Andrews in the summer of 2019 and signed a five-year contract with Southampton, a Premier League team at the time, which will expire in a matter of months.
The attacker scored just four goals in his first season at St Mary’s before scoring nine in the 2020/21 league season.
At the time of writing, the Scotland international has failed to reach double figures in a single league season for his current side, despite having nine this year, but that hasn’t stopped clubs from showing interest in signing him.
According to TeamTalk, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley were believed to be interested in bringing the striker to Turf Moor in January, and with his contract coming to expire and him free to leave once the transfer market opens, you have to believe he will have additional suitors this summer.
Southampton are playing catch-up in the Championship fight for automatic promotion after losing to Hull City and Millwall, with Leeds United and Ipswich Town grabbing a march to put themselves five points ahead in the battle for second place.
Part of their recent struggle has been finishing chances when they are presented, with an 80.5% possession share and only seven shots on goal in their defeat to the Lions last time out, according to Soccerbase.
Adams was hooked after an hour by manager Martin at the weekend, and he is expected to continue to struggle for game time, having started only 15 of his team’s 34 league matches this season.
It appears that this could be his final season at St Mary’s, and the Saints will be looking for successors.
Sinclair Armstrong is gaining curiosity despite contract issue.
Armstrong is another player in a contract dispute at his present club, as the Queens Park Rangers player has yet to accept the five-year term given to him by the Hoops’ administration last year.
His present team has the option to activate a one-year extension to his existing deal, which is set to expire in the summer, and will undoubtedly do so if their current offer is rejected.
That way, if they do sell their tricky, powerful frontman this summer – and interest from Manchester City and Crystal Palace earlier this season suggests there will be suitors – they will at least get a fair price for his talents, as several key performances have demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
The numbers on FBRef back it up for the 20-year-old, whose 2.67 progressive carries per 90 make him one of the greatest players with the ball at his feet in the entire division, and earns his team plenty of vital territory when he picks the ball up.
The pace-merchant has worn out a number of Championship defences this season, with his direct approach and blazing feet leaving defenders looking for a new pair of heels as he scoots around the outside.
Armstrong’s recent 2-0 victory over Millwall demonstrated his menace at the business end of the field, with the Lions’ defenders scared of his marauding runs from wide areas, which culminated in a match-winning goal five minutes from time.
Armstrong has three goals and three assists this season, although for a team that is suffering at the bottom of the table. Surround him with more dynamic, fluid attacking teammates, and he’ll thrive.
Regardless of which division the Saints play in next season, Armstrong could easily fit into Martin’s team; a player with such explosive pace can help to open up any defence, and he possesses the physicality to be a nuisance when the ball comes his way.
He’s not quite the finisher Adams is, but as a long-term successor, the Irishman is definitely someone Southampton should keep an eye on. The move to a team like Southampton might help his growth, and with Rangers’ Championship position in doubt, he could be available for a low price as well.
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