Southampton ‘to watch’ Porto targets in Portugal before play-off tie | OneFootball

Southampton are days from entering the Championship play-offs, with a first leg at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday and a Wembley final awaiting the winners.

According to A Bola and Record, club scouts watched Porto’s last Liga Portugal match against Alverca as Francesco Farioli’s side sealed the title and assessed options for the summer window.

Tonda Eckert's men, promoted via Wembley under Russell Martin in 2024, will fancy another push, though any signings are likely to depend on whether they go up or fall at this hurdle.

Scouts are said to have noted Porto right-back Alberto Costa and midfield anchor Alan Varela, with James Bree currently the only established right-back at present. Jan Bednarek headed the winner that night, but he is not a target.

If promotion slips away, attention could switch to Alverca prospects instead, with Chiquinho, on loan to Liga Portugal from Wolverhampton Wanderers, among those who might appeal.

Ideally, promotion would help tempt players from the champions, echoing last summer’s successful move for Mateus Fernandes from Sporting, who shone before joining West Ham United and is allegedly being eyed by Manchester United. For now, the focus is the semi-final, beat Boro and the route back to Wembley opens again.

Source: Sainstmarching.com