Southampton are ready to compete with West Ham United for the signing of Benfica striker Lima, FootballDirectNews.com understands.
The Saints are keen to bring in reinforcements upfront this summer, as they look likely to lose club-record signing Pablo Osvaldo, who is keen on a quick return to Serie A after only joining the club from Roma this season.
With the team’s other main striker, Rickie Lambert, failing to replicate his form of last season, Mauricio Pochettino now seems to be making Lima his main target to improve his side’s goal threat.
The 30-year-old has 42 goals in his last 71 games for Benfica, and has also been linked with West Ham in recent weeks, though he may feel Southampton’s attack-minded and technical style of play is more appealing. Pochettino may have plenty of money to spend this summer if the likes of Osvaldo, and possibly England youngster Luke Shaw, leave the club in big-money deals. Lima from Benfica looks like being one of the main targets for the boss at the moment, a club insider explained. “It seems pretty likely that Osvaldo will leave, so we’ll try again to find a quality player upfront. “
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