Who is Ivan Azón & Why Are Southampton Targeting The €10 Million Striker? | OneFootball

By Christian Lovegrove · July 14, 2026

The Spaniard, 23, was on loan at Ipswich last season, scoring five goals and providing four assists in the Championship.

A return to England could be on the cards as the Saints look to bolster their attack after the departure of Scotsman Ross Stewart. Yet, their profiles differ.

A Different Profile Up Front

Standing at 5’11”, Azón isn’t a traditional target forward. Instead, he uses his physicality to compete aggressively across the front line. Stewart, by contrast, stands at 6’2″ and offers a more conventional aerial presence.

Manager Tonda Eckert regularly rotated between Cyle Larin and Stewart to ensure a physical profile remained a key outlet for the Saints. So, why could Southampton be entering discussions for a possible €10 million mark?

Despite a lacklustre return for a promotion-winning side last year, the 23-year-old has already accumulated 182 appearances in European second divisions.

He came through the academy at Spanish side Real Zaragoza. In his last campaign in La Liga 2, he scored 7 goals, prompting Como to sign him for around €2 million.

Azón regularly makes channel runs and consistently gets into goal-scoring positions, operating in the 92nd percentile for goals expected per 90 among Championship strikers. However, his goal conversion sits in the 10th percentile.

He may have scored five goals for the Tractor Boys, but that came from an xG of over 11. It raises initial concerns about why the Saints could be targeting him, considering they’ve already struggled with the likes of Cameron Archer to score on a consistent basis.

Despite his struggles in front of goal, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna consistently praised Azón’s mentality and willingness to persevere in making runs into dangerous areas.

It’s a trait Southampton are likely to value.

While Azón’s finishing has come under scrutiny, his ability to keep finding dangerous positions after missing chances suggests a striker whose underlying numbers could eventually translate into goals.

For a side expected to dominate possession in the Championship, consistently getting on the end of opportunities is arguably the more difficult quality to coach. If Eckert can aid in his development and improve his composure in front of goal, he could become a striker capable of turning promising underlying numbers into consistent end product.

Where Azón Fits

Earlier in the window, they secured the permanent signing of 30-year-old Cyle Larin. The Canadian international scored eight goals in 16 league appearances while on loan at the Saints, having an immediate impact.

For rotational purposes, it makes sense for the Saints to prioritise a younger signing – someone who can act as the understudy for Larin. Azón has shown himself to be a hard worker and capable of physicality along the front line, averaging over eight offensive duels per 90 last season. This is pivotal for a high-pressing side like Southampton; Azón would bring energy and fresh legs to their front line to maintain pressure on opposition defences.

Rather than replacing Cyle Larin’s physical profile, Southampton appear to be building a varied attacking unit, with soon-to-be signing Lewis Dobbin offering creativity and movement between the lines, while Azón could provide another runner capable of pressing from the front.

IMAGE: Comparison of profiles between Ivan Azón, Ross Stewart and Cyle Larin [DataMB]

A reported €10 million fee remains sizeable for a Championship club, particularly for a striker whose finishing is still a work in progress. Yet it also reflects the confidence the recruitment department has in his profile.

Permanent deals for Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz, alongside signings like Leo Scienza, have both strengthened the squad and reinforced confidence in the club’s recent recruitment strategy.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Azón represents a gamble.

The goals have not yet matched the quality of chances he creates for himself, but his movement, work rate and ability to consistently occupy dangerous areas offer a strong foundation for the Saints to build upon if they secure his signing.

It reinforces the idea that Southampton are prioritising players with Championship experience. Reported interest in Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear, who spent last season on loan at Oxford United, points towards a recruitment strategy centred on players who have already adapted to the league’s physical and tactical demands.

With promotion as the clear objective, reducing this adaptation time by signing the likes of Ivan Azón could prove significant as the season goes on.