Premier League newcomers Southampton did not make a move for the £17 million-rated Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto due to the lack of space in their squad and the finances involved in making a deal happen.
Lightning struck not twice but three times for the Brazil international last month. Because, for the third transfer window running, Yuri Alberto missed out on a move to the Premier League.
Former Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves confirmed that he had rejected a £14 million bid from West Ham United during the summer of 2023.
Wolverhampton Wanderers then made their move a few months later. Wolves held talks over a potential deal but could not conclude the negotiations with Gary O’Neil’s side struggling with some very well-publicised financial issues.
This time, it was Southampton’s turn to miss out on a talented Brazil international centre-forward with 17 goals in 40 appearances during the 2024 campaign.
Why Southampton could not sign Brazil striker Yuri Alberto
HITC reported in the final few days of the 2024 summer window that The Saints had joined a number of top-flight clubs in holding talks with Corinthians.
Southampton had a bid turned down – reported by Lance to have been a loan-to-buy offer worth an eventual £17 million – and the interest appeared to dwindle by the time deadline day arrived.
HITC can now confirm that there are two big reasons why Russell Martin’s side did not return with a second offer before last Friday’s 11pm cut-off.
There were concerns over not only Alberto’s wages but also the size of the fee Corinthians wanted.
Furthermore, Southampton had very little room left in their squad with the Championship play-off winners adding to their ranks with £25 million goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, West Ham United loanee Maxwel Cornet, and the returning Ryan Fraser.
The Saints have also failed to get Paul Onuachu off the books.
The 6ft 7ins targetman has been a target for Trabzonspor all summer on the back of an excellent loan spell at the Turkish Super Lig outfit. President Ertugrul Dogan insists that Southampton are holding out for £12.5 million, however.
That is some £7 million more than Trabzonspor are offering, with just three days remaining in the Turkish transfer window.
Russell Martin happy despite lack of a new striker
Martin, meanwhile, has not ruled out handing Onuachu – so prolific at Genk before his £18 million switch to the South Coast – a fresh start. The former Swansea City boss is also pleased with Southampton’s summer dealings, even if right-back Yukinari Sugawara is the only Saint player to hit the target so far in 2024/25.
“We’ve done good business this window,” Martin tells BBC Sport, insisting that Southampton were never going to repeat the flawed and damaging transfer splurge of January 2023.
“We all agreed we wouldn’t do that (again) and potentially put the club in a dangerous position down the line. We have made signings for now and players who are going to also be really good over a long period of time.
“I’d love to go spend £25 million, £30 million on one or two players, of course. But we knew we wouldn’t be doing that and this is the situation we’re in. I don’t lose any sleep over that because we’re all aligned and we have real clarity in what we’re doing.”
