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Southampton's Lawrence Shankland interest is nearing its conclusion but neither in a manner nor the result that Saints fans wanted.
Since Southampton made up their mind to bring Lawrence Shankland as a statement signing, it's going from one transfer disaster to another for the Saints. Agreed, that West Brom won't leave without giving a bidding fight but swaying away free agents as a Championship elite doesn't have to be this difficult.
Now, the board knows they have fumbled a few opportunities but they aren't the only English club wishing to make amends in this window. Thus, better preparations for handling certain exits were needed and the Saints would be perfectly on track to pounce upon these attractive budget strikers.
Given they failed to keep a Plan B for trimming their bloated squad, regret alarms have again started doing the rounds at St. Mary's.
Southampton's Shankland hopes fading away with Saudi intervention
According to journalist Mark Hendry, Shankland is drawing transfer admiration from the Saudi Pro League.
Now, whenever Saudi Arabia's name comes in English football, there is an unwritten notion that money won't be a deal breaker. And a few weeks ago, the Saints also imagined that lucrative scenario due to the speculations suggesting an immediate change in ownership.
For the time being those rumours may be off the cards, but Southampton know that their Shankland hopes are hanging with a fine thread now.
Even from the sporting point of view, the Saudi top-flight has improved multifolds in terms of competitive action on offer. Consequently, Shankland has that safety net of not compromising his international football chances if he turns down the Championship opportunity.
Sadly, the ball is not in Southampton's court anymore and all they can do is try persuading Shankland into quickly signing the dotted line on their contract. Rest, accept the transfer defeat and move on with some hard lessons gained from the Shankland saga.