Brighton Target Finn Azaz as Southampton Push for Play-Offs

Southampton’s Finn Azaz is attracting Premier League attention, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

The Saints signed the attacking midfielder for a fee in the region of £12million last summer from Championship rivals Middlesbrough. 

Azaz has netted nine league goals for the club this term, a tally which is only bettered by the 12 goals he scored for Boro last season, and that has caught the eye of a number of admirers, according to sources.

Brighton and Hove Albion are understood to have scouted the 25-year-old on multiple occasions this term ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke is also keen on the Republic of Ireland international, who signed a four-year deal last summer, and is understood to have added him to a list of summer targets. 

While it wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement, Southampton are already keeping tabs on Shakhtar Donetsk winger Prosper Obah as they plan for life without one of their star attackers, Azaz.

Part Of Saints' Play-off Charge

Tonda Eckert has turned this around at St Mary’s following the departure of Will Still and the club are back in play-off mix having gone 12 league games without a win. 

The club are also in the FA Cup quarter-finals and host League Cup runners-up Arsenal after the international break. 

Azaz has been on the books in the Premier League in the past, but was not handed a dream debut at boyhood club West Bromwich Albion or fellow midlands club Aston Villa.

And the player wants to prove he has what it takes to cut the mustard at the highest level after being one of the standout performers in the Championship in recent seasons.

Speaking about Azaz’s influence on the side, Eckert said: “He backs himself to take responsibility in the team, and he can do that in possession. If I'm a number nine, I would love to have him behind me.”

“Also, something that is not seen as much as the way he applies himself when we don't have the ball. If you could see the distance he covers.”

“And he applies himself, being able to play 90 minutes again and again and again and again. I think it shows that he is progressing.”

“He's a top character, and a top player to have in the team, and I think there's lots more to come. I never doubt his quality. He's been outstanding.”