Southampton are reportedly interested in signing Palmeiras wonderkid Luighi but saw a bid rejected for the player in the summer.
The Saints have made a woeful start to the Premier League campaign, with their wait for a maiden victory extending due to a loss at the hands of Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
It looked as if Russell Martin's troops would be escaping the contest with a point, however Foxes star Jordan Ayew netted a winner in the 98th-minute.
As a result, Southampton remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after collecting just the single point from their first eight top-flight contests of 2024-25.
Things do not get easier for the South-coast club next Saturday, when they will make the daunting trip to face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at the Etihad.
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Southampton targeting Brazilian wonderkid?
According to South American journalist Flavio Latif, Southampton are casting their scouting net far and wide as they aim to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
The report claims that the newly-promoted side submitted a bid worth nearly £10m for the services Palmeiras youngster Luighi during the summer transfer window.
It is understood that the Brazilian side swiftly rejected the advances of Southampton, who did not come close to meeting the valuation of the player.
After signing two new contracts already this calendar year, it is believed that Luighi has a £66m release clause in his current terms at Palmeiras.
The Brazilian club supposedly rejected three approaches from Europe for the attacker over the summer, meaning that the Saints are set to face serious competition for the starlet.
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Why is Luighi wanted in Europe?
With Southampton reportedly entering a bid of close to £10m for Luighi, it is a surprise to see that he has only featured in three senior matches so far in 2024.
The 18-year-old netted a 87th-minute equaliser to earn Palmeiras a point at the home of Flamengo on August 11 during a 13-minute spell on the pitch.
Luighi also possesses relative international pedigree for someone of such a young age, representing Brazil Under-17s on five occasions, making the net ripple twice.
Carter White
