This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Southampton are interested in signing Watford forward Troy Deeney, as per the print edition of the Sunday Mirror, (11/10, p73).

The Saints are joined by West Brom and Brighton in the pursuit of the 32-year-old striker, who looks increasingly likely to depart Vicarage Road before Friday's 5pm transfer deadline.

So, what do you make of this deal? Is he needed at Saints? Is the EFL striker good enough for another stint in the Premier League?

The team here at FLW discuss....

Jacob Potter

There are pros and cons to this potential deal.

Deeney obviously has a considerable amount of experience of playing in the Premier League, and he could be the ideal striker to push Danny Ings for his starting spot.

It seems as though it's only going to be a matter of time before Deeney is to leave Watford, as I'm not sure he'll want to be playing his football in the second-tier this term.

But you have to question as to whether Southampton would be the right destination for him, as they already have plenty of depth in attacking positions, with the likes of Che Adams and Shane Long also in their ranks.

Therefore, I'm not convinced that he's needed by the Saints, and it would seem like a wasted move for a player of Deeney's quality to sign for a club where he isn't guaranteed regular game time this season.

 

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Chris Gallagher

No, what are they thinking?

Ralph Hassenhutl has built an exciting squad that play with real intensity and press from the front - something Deeney won't be able to do.

He is still excellent with his back to goal and can still score a few goals but his knee injuries seem to have slowed him a lot in the past 12-18 months and he doesn't seem like a good fit for the Saints at all.

Behind the excellent Danny Ings and Che Adams, Southampton have Shane Long and Michael Obafemi, so there shouldn't be a desperation to land a new striker unless they are a clear upgrade.

The Deeney of today isn't that and Watford would be the big winners if this happened as they would be shifting a player who is their highest earner.

Jake Sanders

Having added Theo Walcott to an already-impressive attacking department which includes Danny Ings, Che Adams and Shane Long, Southampton bringing in Troy Deeney doesn't appear a move that would benefit either party.

At 32, Deeney doesn't have many years remaining at the top level, and if he's to leave his beloved Watford, it would be for guaranteed first-team football.

And with one of the most prolifics strikers in Ings currently in the form of his life, that is something that Southampton simply can't offer.

Whilst Deeney, who reached double figures in the Premier League last term, could still do a job in the topflight, moving to a West Brom for example, would be far more sensible.