Southampton FC should plot ambitious Leeds United transfer raid | OneFootball

The Belgian winger played just 782 Championship minutes during Leeds' title-winning campaign yet still netted six league goals

The transfer dominoes are beginning to topple for Southampton - while Jesurun Rak-Sakyi edges closer to a switch north of the border, Leeds United's Largie Ramazani is perhaps growing restless at Elland Road.

The Belgian winger played just 782 Championship minutes during Leeds' title-winning campaign yet still netted six league goals.

Manager Daniel Farke publicly outed the 24-year-old during the 24/25 season to "show more reliability" if he is to earn more minutes, but even after a two-assist cameo against SC Verl in pre-season, Leeds reportedly remain interested in another winger - Igor Paixao from Feyenoord.

Southampton, meanwhile, have watched their long-running courtship of Rak-Sakyi hit turbulence. According to The Athletic, Rangers tabled an initial loan with a potential £10m obligation to buy, which was swiftly dismissed by Crystal Palace.

Subsequent reports suggest Palace want a permanent sale closer to the £20m benchmark set by Omari Hutchinson's switch to Ipswich. Even though Ramazani has apparently turned down a loan move to join Greek outfit Aris Thessaloniki, among others, Southampton should plot a move for the Belgian - if his pathway for starting minutes remains blocked.

How Largie Ramazani could fit in at Southampton

Will Still's footballing philosophy is somewhat rooted in aggressive high pressing that call for wingers capable of running into spaces and committing defenders one-on-one. Ramazani averaged over 2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in 24/25 - suggesting a player that would thrive under Still's style of play.

As per FotMob data, Ramazani averaged one goal every 130 minutes and created a chance every 31 minutes last season for Leeds - both that hint at very good productivity when actually given consistent game time.

Ramazani is naturally right-footed but happy on either flank, mirroring the threat that Rak-Sakyi is capable of, and both players scored seven goals across all competitions in 24/25.

Leeds paid an estimated £10m to prise the Manchester United academy graduate from Spanish side UD Almeria last summer and would probably expect to recoup that fee if any club wanted him permanently - so a loan move arguably makes the most sense. Especially given that Thessaloniki have already seen a bid rejected.

Southampton would surely need to act fast if Rak-Sakyi moves to Rangers

Southampton were reportedly among the first to register interest in Rak-Sakyi yet have seemingly watched their target edge away. Moving swiftly to Ramazani would certainly signal that the Saints will not be hostage to a single player.

Both Ramazani and Rak-Sakyi have chipped in with double-digit goal contributions in senior football before their 23rd birthdays - yet Ramazani's La Liga pedigree shows he can already perform in Europe's top leagues.

Rak-Sakyi's current-best season of his career was in the 22/23 League One campaign with Charlton Athletic, where he scored 15 goals and managed eight assists in 43 games. Obviously outstanding, but that was three years ago.

Before moving to Leeds, Ramazani played two full seasons in Spain's top-flight with Almeria after helping them get promotion from LaLiga2 in 21/22.

Largie Ramazani could cost more in wages than Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

According to Capology estimates, Ramazani is currently on £17.5k-per-week at Leeds United, in comparison to Rak-Sakyi's estimated £7.5k-per-week at Crystal Palace.

With this in mind, although the Belgian's wages are estimated to be higher, a loan move would still keep the Saints well below or spending anywhere near as much as Palace's asking price for Rak-Sakyi - while securing a player who is arguably at a similar level if not better.

In truth, allowing Rak-Sakyi to slip away to Rangers would probably not hurt as much for Southampton if they could act quickly and sign Ramazani on loan from Leeds.

The two players share a lot of similar characteristics on the pitch, and even though Rak-Sakyi scored one more league goal than Ramazani last season, the latter only started seven games. Will Still's style of play could get the best out of him.