Koeman to kick-start Southampton reign with move for Mexican striker
Published:One of Ronald Koeman’s first tasks on the south coast will be to convince the likes of Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana to stay at Southampton but the Dutchman has also set his sights on bolstering a squad that has already lost Rickie Lambert to Liverpool.
While Shaw is continually linked to Manchester United and Lallana a reported target for Liverpool, Koeman is hoping to start his reign with a bang by making a move for Manchester United’s out-of-favour striker Javier Hernandez.
The Mexican striker, who ended a run of 11 games without a goal in his country’s 3-1 win over Croatia at the World Cup on Monday night, has become frustrated with his role at Old Trafford in recent seasons and is desperate for first team football.
Since Robin van Persie’s arrival two summers ago, Chicharito has been a bit-part player for the Red Devils and in turn has lost his place in the Mexico starting line-up.
The 26-year-old has featured from the bench in all three of El Tricolor’s matches in Brazil as they progressed to the knockout phase and has been a regular substitute for club and country all season.
But Hernandez, whose side are 11/4 with Ladbrokes to beat Holland in the second round on Saturday, is desperate to be a starter again.
He said: “I’ve never seen myself as a sub and I don’t like being one, and believe me, I am tired of a lot of people seeing me that way, as a ‘super-sub’.
“I’m a player that has made a difference as a starter.”
With Wayne Rooney, RVP and Danny Welbeck all set to feature in new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s plans, the former Guadalajara star looks set to be cast in the role of reserve once again and will be looking to have a fresh start away from Old Trafford.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Inter Milan have all expressed an interest in the Mexican in the past but Southampton, under Koeman, could be an ideal place for him to flourish as a starter.
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