da heads bet： According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are among the top European clubs considering making a move for Hamburg starlet Jann-Fiete Arp, who has been described as ‘the German Harry Kane’ by football.london.
da realbet： The 17-year-old striker has made his first-team breakthrough for the Bundesliga outfit this term following some impressive form for the U19 side and the Germany U17s, and he has already made a huge impression.
The Daily Mail says that while Chelsea have scouted the young centre-forward, Spurs have also been keeping a keen eye on his progress and the German club may well be concerned about losing him with his current contract due to run out in 2019.
Meanwhile, Southampton have made a disappointing start to the Premier League campaign and having scored just nine goals in 11 top flight games, manager Mauricio Pellegrino is likely to look to strengthen his attack in the January transfer window and it could be a smart decision to target the teenager.
Here are three reasons Southampton should hijack Tottenham and Chelsea’s bid to sign Arp…
Statistics
Arp may only be 17 years of age but he is already making a huge impression for club and country.
The centre-forward was promoted to the first team after scoring seven goals in three matches for the U19s this season, and he has since scored two goals in three appearances – although the first of those outings was as a last-gasp substitute.
The German starlet scored on his first start in the 3-1 win against Stuttgart on Saturday, and all five of the shots he has had this term have been on target.
When you take into consideration that he has scored 15 goals in 17 appearances for the Germany U17s, it is clear to see the quality and potential he would bring to Southampton and there would also be less pressure on his young shoulders.
They need a new centre-forward
Southampton manager Pellegrino has favoured the 4-2-3-1 formation this season, but it is a system that Saints have struggled with since the start of last season.
The south coast outfit played their best football when they had Rickie Lambert and then Graziano Pelle spearheading the attack, but it is a lone role that none of Manolo Gabbiadini, Shane Long or Charlie Austin are really comfortable in, with the latter having the height but perhaps not the presence required.
It is clear that Southampton need a new player with all-round centre-forward traits and the 6ft 2in Arp could be the answer to their problems.
The Harry Kane similarities
Rather than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, Arp says his primary role model in football is Kane, and there are certainly a lot of similarities between the two.
As well as being almost the same height as the England international and having a prolific record in front of goal – despite being in the very early stages of his young career – the 17-year-old also looks equally confident scoring with both feet as well as with his head.
With a decent physical presence and good awareness and movement in and around the penalty area the Germany U17 international looks set to have a huge future, and Southampton could be the platform to prove himself on before he joins a Liverpool or a Tottenham Hotspur – paths that the likes of Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama have taken in recent years.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.