If Southampton have to undergo a “fire sale” this summer then Sheffield United might consider a reunion with Che Adams.
According to the Daily Star, the Saints may have to sell some of their best players if owner Gao Jisheng cannot sell his 80 percent stake in the club.
The Chinese businessman is apparently desperate to leave St Mary’s and will therefore accept a cut-price fee of £150m for his share.
Southampton’s debts are said to be “spiralling” and if Jisheng doesn’t find a buyer, then £100m will need to be raised quickly to cover them.
The best way to achieve that is obviously to sell players. The likes of Danny Ings, Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse are mentioned as potentially valuable assets.
While Adams is not named specifically by the Star, Football Insider reports the striker could be available for a knockdown price.
This is in relation to Leeds United, who came close to signing the 23-year-old during the January transfer window. They had a £19m bid for Adams accepted, before Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl changed his mind.
Now the Hampshire side accept they won’t receive anywhere close to that. Or even the £15m they paid Birmingham City for Adams last summer.
Instead, it’s believed the forward could be signed for £10m – or perhaps even less.
Could Sheffield United sign Che Adams from Southampton?
One of Chris Wilder’s first jobs after becoming Blades boss in 2016 was to oversee Adams’ move from Bramall Lane to Birmingham.
He had impressed as a youngster at United, scoring 15 goals in 55 appearances. The following season Adams faced his former team in the Championship following their promotion from League One.
By 2018/19 the attacker had truly found his feet, scoring 22 times in the league that term. Following a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s last year, Wilder spoke of his admiration for Adams.
“Che Adams has been outstanding since he has been here and attracted a lot of interest – and quite rightly so, from some top Premier League clubs,” the 53-year-old was quoted by Birmingham Live.
“He’s come on leaps and bounds and he is a real threat and we had to deal with that. He is one of the top players in this division.”
As the Blades were promoted to the Premier League, they were joined by Adams in the top flight. Yet unfortunately his move to Southampton hasn’t quite worked out.
Adams is yet to score his first goal for the club and has failed to cement a starting XI spot. It’s why he was so close to leaving the Saints after just six months.
Yet while his form has hardly suggested the Blades should bring Adams back, he is still only 23 and has shown his talent in the past.
Plus, Wilder specialises in signing misfits and outcasts and helping them realise their potential. Perhaps, four years after they went their separate ways, the duo could finally succeed together.