Coventry City will be hoping they can retain Viktor Gyokeres with the January transfer window approaching.
The Swedish international has been in superb form this season, scoring nine so far making him the joint-leading scorer in the Championship.
It's inevitably led to a host of Premier League clubs weighing up moves in January, including Southampton, Everton, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United – as Football League World revealed.
This speculation has meant Coventry are looking to move quickly to tie down the services of the 24-year-old as they hope to retain their key man. If he signs a new deal, it will mean he's at the CBS Arena for the long term, if the doesn't then that could prompt the Sky Blues to sell while his value is high.
It's no surprise to see Southampton linked with the striker considering Nathan Jones has just been appointed as their boss. The Welshman would have crossed paths with Gyokeres on several occasions with his Luton side and will have had a good look at the striker.
With that in mind, we have decided to take a look at whether this would be a good move by Southampton and assess Gyokeres’s chances of starting for the Premier League outfit while also offering an insight into the striker’s style of play…
Is it a good potential move?
Gyokeres would certainly fit the change in philosophy at St Mary's where signing younger, up-and-coming players to develop has been the route forward, but he could be joining a crowded room.
Southampton already possess several players of a similar style to Gyokeres, with Che Adams, Adam Armstrong, and Sekou Mara on the books. At 24, Gyokeres is moving into his peak years and his career has only just started to get going.
The striker was inconsistent before his move to permanent move to Coventry and struggled in loan spells at Swansea and Coventry. That may mean a third season in the Championship is required to justify spending a significant fee on the forward.
Would he start?
The questions you need to ask are, is he better than Che Adams? And what formation will Jones play?
Jones typically played with a 3-5-2, or a 4-4-2 narrow diamond at Luton meaning there will be space for an additional attacker. Gyokeres in a front two will be a useful asset but will he start ahead of Che Adams and Adam Armstrong?
Both strikers have struggled for goals this season, with just five between them so Gyokeres will add an additional threat. But, it would be a lot of money to part with for a player who will need time to adapt to the Premier League.
What does he offer?
Not only does Gyokeres offer a goal threat but he's a player who can excite the crowd.
His ability to pick up the ball and run at defenders is frightening, especially when he's doing it in shot-creating areas. Other than Iliman Ndiaye, Gyokeres has the highest average dribbles per game at 1.9 for a striker, according to Whoscored, but it might not be a useful trait in the Premier League.
He will be coming up against better defenders in the top flight which could mean it will take him time to adapt which is not something Southampton need right now. A player who can come in and make a positive impact is a necessity for Jones' side if they are to avoid a relegation battle this season.