Southampton’s January pursuit of this Premier League loanee would make little sense.

Southampton have been linked with a possible January loan move for Brighton winger Femi Azeez, but there are reasons to question whether the transfer would solve a genuine problem. The Saints need their attacking options to contribute consistently as they pursue promotion, yet bringing in a player who is still recovering from injury may not be the best use of their resources.

The comparison with David Brooks

Southampton have previously found success by recruiting a winger on loan during a Championship promotion campaign. In the middle of the 2023/24 season, they identified a need on the right side of their attack and turned to AFC Bournemouth for David Brooks. The Welshman wanted to leave the Cherries to secure regular first-team football, creating an opportunity for the Saints to bring him in.

Brooks proved to be an effective addition under Russell Martin. He registered seven goal contributions across 17 Championship appearances and started the play-off final against Leeds United at Wembley, which Southampton won. The move addressed a clear need at the time and gave the team an immediate boost during an important part of the season.

However, that successful deal does not automatically mean another loan signing would be equally sensible. The circumstances surrounding the reported interest in Azeez are very different, particularly because of the winger’s fitness and the options already available to Tonda Eckert.

Hull City v Millwall – Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg | NurPhoto/GettyImages

Why the Femi Azeez move is questionable

Brighton signed Azeez from Millwall in September for a reported £15 million after an impressive Championship campaign. Playing under Alex Neil, he scored 11 goals and supplied seven assists last season.

The difficulty is that Azeez has yet to play a single minute this season. He suffered an injury earlier in the campaign, and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has only indicated that the winger is close to being included in a matchday squad.

Southampton would effectively be asking Brighton to loan out a player who has not featured this season and is still returning from injury. That arrangement may be difficult to secure, especially with Brighton competing near the top of the Premier League.

There is an argument that Southampton require more from their wide players. Tom Fellows has endured a disappointing spell, while Sam Edozie has not managed to convince Eckert that he should be a regular choice. However, a poor run of form does not necessarily mean a player has lost his ability. Fellows has shown quality before, and writing him off in November could be a premature reaction. He should be given the opportunity to rediscover his best performances.

Southampton also have Jay Robinson, who is currently spending time on loan at AC Monza. Before committing money and a loan place to an injured Brighton player, the Saints should consider whether Robinson could be recalled and provide the attacking contribution they are looking for.

What should Southampton prioritise in January?

On paper, a forward group featuring Azaz, Scienza, Azeez and Larin would look formidable. The combined total of 63 goal contributions from last season gives supporters a reason to be excited about the possibility. However, much of that attacking quality is already represented in Southampton’s squad. Larin is leading the Championship scoring charts, while Azaz and Scienza are also part of the club’s current attacking options.

The wider competition makes the question of recruitment important. West Ham can call upon Jarrod Bowen, Middlesbrough have Amario Cozier-Duberry, and Wolves have Mateus Mane. Southampton are attempting to secure automatic promotion, but they do not have a winger who is consistently scoring goals and beating defenders in the way those examples suggest. Kuryu Matsuki, however, remains a player capable of offering those qualities and should not be overlooked.

Rather than rushing into a deal for Azeez, Southampton would be better served by assessing their existing options before making a decision. Fellows needs time to recover his form, while Robinson’s progress at Monza should be considered carefully. A recall could provide a solution without requiring the club to take a gamble on a player who is still building his fitness.

But any signing should be ready to contribute and should address a clear need. Brooks was successful because Southampton identified a specific problem and brought in a player able to help immediately. Azeez’s current circumstances are not the same.

Southampton should therefore be patient, review their options and only pursue another winger if the need remains clear. Bringing in a half-fit player from Brighton before exploring the talent already at the club would risk repeating neither the logic nor the success of the Brooks deal.