Southampton and Hull City in race to sign explosive forward | OneFootball

Southampton are interested in Werder Bremen forward Justin Njinmah this summer but face competition from Hull City

Southampton are looking to put their disappointing end to last campaign behind them with a strong summer window, as the Saints close in on their first new addition to the squad, and have now set their sights on a regular forward in the Bundesliga.

Southampton's 19-game unbeaten run in the Championship to close out last campaign saw them earn a place in the play-offs, and as a result, had been viewed by many as going on to be triumphant at Wembley.

However, their expulsion from the competition was confirmed upon being found guilty of spying on opponents, orchestrated by head coach Tonda Eckert, who could yet face a potential six-month ban for his role in the saga.

As a result, Championship football is heading back to St Mary's for a second consecutive season, as the Saints hope to march away from last year's controversy with a strong summer window.

Lewis Dobbin's £9 million plus add-ons switch from Aston Villa is edging ever closer, but Eckert doesn't look to be done with revamping his attacking options just yet.

Southampton are interested in Werder Bremen forward Justin Njinmah this summer but face competition from Premier League Hull City

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Southampton's attacking options have already undergone some change, but more exits and arrivals are expected at St Mary's over the next month or so.

Ross Stewart has been released after the club could not reach an agreement on a fresh deal, as Cyle Larin makes his loan move a permanent one, whilst Ben Brereton Diaz and Damion Downs both return to the club from their loan spells.

Downs joined from FC Koln last summer for around £7 million, and was loaned to Hamburg by January after failing to make an impact on the South Coast; whether he has any long-term future at the club is up in the air, whilst Brereton Diaz is in a similar boat, but comes off the back of a positive loan spell with Derby County.

Cameron Archer is expected to depart, having seen his permanent move to Rangers fall through at the final hurdle in January, as Dobbin is set to fill that void.

Eckert's shake-up in the final third at St Mary's looks far from done, however, with German outlet BILD reporting that Southampton are interested in a move for Werder Bremen forward Justin Njinmah this summer, but face competition from Premier League newbies Hull City.

Njinmah, 25, came through the ranks of Holstein Kiel, Werder Bremen, and Borussia Dortmund's youth sides, before making the permanent switch back to Bremen in 2023, where he has since managed 14 goals and six assists in 88 appearances across all competitions for the club.

The German was reportedly the subject of interest from Napoli as recently as January 2026, though no move ever materialised, and now, he could be set for a move to England, with Hull offering stiff competition for his services.

Capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, Njinmah's explosive pace and work-rate make him a deadly prospect on the counter-attack, something Eckert utilised to great effect with Southampton last season.

The 25-year-old would follow in the footsteps of Damion Downs, Joshua Quarshie, Leo Scienza, and Caspar Jander to make the move from Germany last summer, with each of those having varying degrees of success since.

With a contract running until 2028, Bremen are reportedly ready to sell Njinmah for a 'reasonable' fee this summer, as Southampton are prepared to battle Hull for his signature, and though they don't have the advantage of Premier League football to offer, will still be quietly confident in their chances of bringing him to St Mary's this summer.

Tonda Eckert will be hoping to put the noise from last season behind him and target promotion with Southampton amid Justin Njinmah interest

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As Eckert awaits the fate of his immediate future at Southampton, with a potential ban still in line for the German, his full focus will be on the summer transfer window and pre-season with the Saints.

With Dobbin on his way to St Mary's, the former Preston North End loanee will give Southampton another dynamic option in the final third, and one that Eckert could have a field day with.

Adding Njinmah to the mix would be more than ideal for the 33-year-old head coach, who will no doubt have a target on his back next season due to his role in the 'spygate' scandal.

The Werder Bremen forward has already accumulated a wealth of minutes at a really high level, and at 25, has the potential to be an incredible addition for the Saints.