Southampton FC eyeing Leo Scienza transfer repeat - second raid looms | OneFootball

Southampton already have one eye on the summer transfer window as they fight for a place in the Premier League

Southampton are still in the mix for promotion to the Premier League despite their poor start to the campaign.

The Saints are the most in-form side in the division at the moment, with their sights set on even potentially earning a top two finish under Tonda Eckert.

The Hampshire outfit have won their last seven in a row, which has moved them to within a point of second place Ipswich Town, albeit the Tractor Boys have a game in hand.

Southampton also have an FA Cup semi-final clash on the horizon following their quarter-final win over Premier League leaders Arsenal earlier this month.

A 20th place finish in the top flight last year consigned the club to a season in the Championship, but they will be hoping that it’s just a 12 month absence from the division.

There are just three fixtures remaining, so the Saints will also have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window, regardless of what league they’ll be competing in next year.

Southampton eye Christian Conteh

According to Fussball Transfers, Southampton are interested in the signing of Christian Conteh this summer.

The forward made the move to Heidenheim in the January transfer window, but it’s believed that the Saints have turned their attention to him ahead of the upcoming market.

The 26-year-old signed for the Bundesliga side in a €1.5 (£1.3) million deal, but he could again depart amid the threat of relegation to 2. Bundesliga.

Heidenheim are currently bottom of the German top flight with four games to play, with the gap to safety now seven points.

Conteh has made just six appearances in the league for his new club, and he has yet to contribute a goal or an assist.

He previously registered four goals and three assists in the first half of the campaign for former side Eintracht Braunschweig from 17 league games.

The forward signed a contract with Heidenheim until June 2029, which gives them a lot of leverage in any potential talks with the Championship side.

It's interesting that Southampton are weighing up a second raid of Heidenheim, having prised Leo Scienza away from the German outfit last summer. That, of course, has shaped up to represent one of the Saints' most inspired transfer decisions in recent years, with the gifted Brazilian winger establishing his reputation among the finest players at Championship level as he continues to inspire his side's promotion push back to the Premier League.

Southampton are currently fourth in the second division table, one point outside of the automatic promotion places.

Eckert’s side will be back in action midweek where they will be looking to make it eight wins in a row in the league when they play Bristol City at home this evening in a 7.45pm kick-off.

And they will follow that clash up with a trip to Wembley Stadium on 25 April to face Premier League title contenders Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Christian Conteh could be a reasonably priced option for Southampton

If Heidenheim are relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, as looks increasingly likely, then Conteh could be available again at a cut rate price.

The forward hasn’t enjoyed a strong start to life with the German club, but he showed potential in the second tier at Eintracht Braunschweig.

The 26-year-old could be a reasonably priced option to bolster Southampton’s attacking options, regardless of what division they’ll be competing in.

And given their links with the German market, a move for him could be on the cards and may not be the worst idea to add some depth to their attack, particularly as he is versatile and can play across the frontline.