Ralph Hasenhuttl may be about to face his first transfer blow as Southampton boss as Gary Cahill looks set to join fellow-strugglers Fulham, per The Sun.
What’s the word?
The Sun are reporting that former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is leading the chase for Cahill’s signature, and is targeting the 33-year-old to fix his Craven Cottage defence on a six-month loan deal.
The former England international and captain is being allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on loan, providing a permanent deal cannot be arranged, ahead of his contract expiring in the summer and leaving on a free.
Cahill has two Premier League trophies and a Champions League crown to his name since moving to London from Bolton in 2012 for £7.5million.
Southampton had shown interest in taking the 61-cap former international in a January swoop after the Saints missed out on Brighton star Lewis Dunk – the 27-year-old instead penned a new five-year deal at the Amex.
Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…
Saints needed his experience
At the time of their reported interest, Southampton were desperate for a new centre-back to add experience to the backline at St Mary’s, after keeping just two clean sheets all season – coming against Burnley and Crystal Palace.
The south coast side have since parted ways with Mark Hughes and brought in Ralph Hasenhuttl, but have continued to struggle keeping the opposition out. After 20 games, the Saints had the fifth worst goal difference in the Premier League, having conceded the fourth-most times.
Wesley Hoedt and Jannik Vestergaard have taken to the field the most this season, but the 26-year-old has often cut a calamitous figure for his side.
The 17-cap Denmark international was an accident waiting to happen at Cardiff, exemplified on the 74th minute when Vestergaard failed to complete a simple pass and allowed Callum Paterson to score the Bluebirds’ decisive winner.
Cahill joining the ranks at St Mary’s Stadium would have helped to eliminate lapses in quality like the Cardiff gaff and guide the progress of talented youngster Jan Bednarek, who has shown regular glimpses of class since establishing himself in the starting XI under Hasenhuttl.
Should Southampton continue their interest in Cahill with a permanent bid? Let us know in the poll below…
