’Top’ scouts to watch Southampton’s Leo Scienza v Arsenal - transfer likely to happen on one condition | OneFootball

The Saints winger is attracting interest ahead of the summer window

Southampton have started to hit their straps since the turn of the year, asserting themselves as potential promotion material from the Championship under Tonda Eckert.

It has been a season of mixed fortunes for Saints after they were relegated from the Premier League last term, but they are firmly in the hunt for one of the Championship's play-off places at this moment in time.

A 2-0 victory against Oxford United at St Mary's last time out saw the German's team extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 matches - a run which stretches back to January 20th, with their last defeat being a 2-1 scoreline against Hull City three days beforehand.

Alongside a vast improvement in league form by comparison to the start of Eckert's permanent reign as Saints boss in December and January, as well as the dismal run of just two wins in 13 matches under his predecessor, Will Still, between August and November 2025, the South Coast outfit are now just one of two clubs representing the EFL in the latter stages of the FA Cup.

After defeating Doncaster Rovers of League One and divisional rivals Leicester City in the third and fourth rounds respectively, Saints caused a dramatic upset against Premier League opposition in Fulham back on March 8th, subsequently setting up a mouth-watering tie with top-flight leaders, Arsenal.

Instead of facing off in a crunch Championship fixture against Ipswich Town on Good Friday, Eckert's players will look to prove their worth against the country's current best on Saturday night, although that could still spell bad news in some ways.

'Top' club scouts to cast eyes on Southampton ace Leo Scienza in FA Cup clash v Arsenal

That's because, according to talkSPORT, scouts from a plethora of 'top clubs' are set to cast an eye on the performance levels and quality boasted by Southampton's star winger, Leo Scienza.

The 27-year-old Brazilian was an impressive performer against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the previous round, and could make a timely return to action against the Gunners this weekend after a recent setback.

Scienza has missed all of Saints' past three games against Coventry City, Norwich City and Oxford with a groin strain, but has since had the two-week international break to ramp up his recovery ahead of the final month of the regular season.

Beforehand, the man who was signed from FC Heidenheim for a reported €10m (£8.6m) fee in September had scored nine goals and posted eight assists in 36 matches across all competitions.

Despite penning a four-year contract in the meantime, it was recently claimed that Saints had placed a €20m (£17.2m) valuation on his head, with clubs in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and others from his native Brazil lodging inquiries over a potential transfer in the upcoming summer window, which opens on June 15th.

Leo Scienza's return could help Southampton pull off a major FA Cup shock v Arsenal

This weekend's clash is the first time Saints have reached the quarter-final stage since a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in March 2022, and they haven't progressed to the semi-final stage for six years, when they lost to eventual winners, Leicester, 1-0.

Their clash with Mikel Arteta's side is also a replication of the 2002/03 final, which the North London club won 1-0, and they will be looking to secure the Spaniard's first trophy since emerging victorious against Chelsea back in 2020.

However, if the likes of Scienza play to their maximum levels, Saints supporters will certainly fancy their chances of stunning the Premier League leaders, just two weeks after they lost the EFL Cup final at Wembley to Man City.

At the same time, a strong performance from the Brazilian would only add to the current interest in his signature, but it could also help Saints drive up their aforementioned valuation, as well as having significant funds to help source a potential replacement.