Tonda Eckert warned off sealing fresh Southampton FC transfer - Leeds United example offered | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential permanent signing of Cyle Larin

Southampton are still in the mix for automatic promotion to the Premier League with just two games to go.

The Saints face a massive clash against second place Ipswich Town this midweek before the final fixture of the campaign at the weekend.

Tonda Eckert’s side missed out on the chance to play in the FA Cup final when they lost 2-1 to Manchester City on Saturday.

Finn Azaz had put the Hampshire outfit ahead in the 79th minute, but goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez in the closing stages sealed a comeback win for the Premier League side.

It means that Southampton’s full focus will now be on fighting for their place back in the top flight after they suffered relegation 12 months ago, although they will also have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer market.

The club are unbeaten in the last 17 league games, which has put them four points adrift of the top two, restoring their hope of a return to the Premier League.

Southampton issued Cyle Larin permanent deal warning

Southampton reportedly hold a €4 million( £3.4 million) option to sign Cyle Larin this summer as part of their loan agreement with Mallorca.

When asked whether the club should pursue a deal, FLW’s Saints fan pundit Martin Sanders — from FootballMartin on YouTube — warned that his performances in La Liga leave a lot to be desired if top flight experience is what the team will want if promoted.

He is unsure whether the forward could make the step up to the Premier League, even if he’s performed well in the Championship since joining in the January window.

“He’s a good player, and he’s been really good for Saints since he’s come in,” Sanders told Football League World.

“It’s a big step up to the Premier League, whether he can take that step is another matter.

“I’m not quite sure, still early days really; he’s only just got fit now, but it is a big step to the Premier League.

“But [Southampton will] probably be looking for experience of a higher level, to be honest.

“He struggled a bit in La Liga and the Premier League is on a bar, if not better, so I think you probably need somebody like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, what he’s done for Leeds.

“I always come back to that, he’s been a proper goal scorer, and a really good player, played at the highest level.

“I think you kind of need that when you’re in the Prem.”

Larin arrived midway through the campaign, and he has so far contributed six goals and one assist from 14 appearances in the Championship.

The Canadian struggled for form in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord in the first half of the season, failing to score from any of his eight league games for the club.

This led to him making the temporary switch to Southampton, where he has made a big impact on their promotion push.

Larin scored the winner against Watford in his first game for the club, as well as the opener against Oxford United in March, as well as the stoppage time equaliser against West Brom in the same month.

But it remains to be seen whether he will make the switch to Southampton on a permanent basis this summer.

Next up for the Saints is a huge, promotion-deciding home clash against Ipswich on Tuesday evening in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Cyle Larin signing could be tempting at affordable cost for Southampton

The step up to the Premier League is quite big, and there are no guarantees that Larin will be capable of taking that leap.

But if Southampton are promoted, a price of around £3.4 million could be tempting to sign him permanently, as it’s an affordable cost for a player that has settled in nicely as part of Eckert’s squad.

It would be a mistake to rely on him to be their main attacking threat next season, regardless of what division they compete in, but he could add some much-needed strength in depth.

The 31-year-old has been a solid addition, and certainly if the club are still in the second tier then a permanent move would make a lot of sense.