Premier League newcomers Southampton decided against pursuing Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, who is valued at £17 million, due to both squad constraints and financial concerns.
Last month, the Brazilian forward faced a third consecutive transfer window without a move to the Premier League. Former Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves revealed that a £14 million bid from West Ham United was turned down during the summer of 2023. Subsequently, Wolverhampton Wanderers showed interest but were unable to finalize a deal due to financial difficulties.
Southampton also explored a move for Alberto towards the end of the 2024 summer transfer window, joining other Premier League clubs in discussions with Corinthians. They made a loan-to-buy offer reportedly worth £17 million, which was rejected, and their interest waned as the deadline approached.
There were two main reasons Southampton did not make a renewed offer. Firstly, concerns were raised about Alberto’s wages and the transfer fee Corinthians demanded. Secondly, Southampton had limited space in their squad after adding £25 million goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, West Ham loanee Maxwel Cornet, and returning Ryan Fraser. They also struggled to offload Paul Onuachu, who has attracted interest from Trabzonspor. Southampton’s demand of £12.5 million for Onuachu was higher than Trabzonspor’s offer, with the Turkish transfer window closing soon.
Despite not securing a new striker, Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed satisfaction with the club’s summer transfers. He emphasized that the team avoided the costly transfer mistakes of January 2023, making strategic signings for both immediate needs and long-term benefits. Martin noted that while he would have liked to make larger investments, the club’s approach is aligned with their clear strategy, and he is comfortable with their current position.
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