Adam Armstrong's stagnant transfer situation is set to cost Southampton twice in the ongoing transfer market.
Last year, Adam Armstrong was Southampton's biggest game changer in the Championship but that sense of reliability in him is currently devoid among the Saints because. And why wouldn't it be when the 28-year-old is coming on the back of a helpless six-month stay in the same division which Southampton are heading next.
Plus, not to forget, Armstrong has also scared away a bunch of English clubs from placing a loan trust in him. In short, Armstrong is back to square one in terms of his market demand but that's not the only worry his miserable run of form has inflicted on Southampton.
The real issue revolves around his recent employers, West Brom. As they have let Armstrong leave with a monotonous "thanks, but no thanks" kind of gesture, it's obvious that they will again search the English market for an extra source of goals.
Armstrong staying could rule out Shankland's Southampton arrival
Well, call it coincidence or Southampton's unfortunate luck but they have also been left starstruck by Lawrence Shankland's free agent status. As is always the unwritten norm about a signing race, the Shankland situation has escalated to a stage where a bidding war is the only way out.
Further, that winnable balance isn't 50-50 but instead at a slight disadvantage for Southampton.
If you are wondering why, then the reason has been pointed out in a Football League World report. According to that, Armstrong is earning near the same salary at St. Mary's which Lawrence Shankland is expected to ask for.
Factoring in the usual cost-cutting theme prevalent during a Championship drop, it's highly unlikely that the Saints will even imagine employing two frontmen on a level-playing hefty salary.
Clearly, Armstrong should have been shown the exit door when he was enjoying his rich vein of form over twelve months ago. By being unable to do that, Southampton are in line to pay for that mistake by walking away empty-handed from the Shankland deal.
Still, all the Saints fans can do is stay optimistic and hope that a solution arrives to rescue both Southampton and Armstrong from this lacklustre situation.
READ MORE SOUTHAMPTON NEWS HERE: