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Southampton signing this Liverpool outcast would be a real coup – Hughes should pull it off in January

Why Southampton should definitely re-sign Nathaniel Clyne

Southampton have made a frustrating start to their Premier League campaign this time out after coming agonisingly close to facing the drop last season. The Saints are once again flirting with relegation and are in dire need of some positive results.

Not only have they struggled to find goals but Mark Hughes’s men have also conceded a total of 14 goals in the opening 8 games of the season. The manager did bring in a couple of signings to strengthen his ranks over the summer but not all have made a positive impact yet.

The Saints should go hunting once again when the transfer window reopens in January. One man they must take a look at is out of favour Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne. The 27-year-old right-back made the move from the South Coast club to Anfield in the summer of 2015.

He made a bright start to life at Liverpool and was the epitome of consistency at one point. But Clyne soon succumbed to persistent injury problems that often kept him on the sidelines. The former Southampton defender missed the entirety of last season due to his torrid fitness record.

Nathaniel Clyne

Fortunately, Liverpool have seen youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold emerge from the academy and completely make the role his own. The youngster’s rise to prominence and Joe Gomez’s versatility to cover at right-back has seen Clyne fall down the pecking order.

This is exactly why Southampton should make a move for their former star. Though he came through the ranks at Crystal Palace’s academy, Clyne established himself as a Premier League player during his time at Southampton.

He is defensively diligent and rarely puts a foot wrong at the back. Though the injuries make him look like a shadow of his old self, a return to the South Coast should allow the defender to revive his career.

The right-back is also capable of marauding up and down the field, creating a number of opportunities for the team. The likes of Danny Ings, Charlie Austin and Shane Long will definitely thrive in his presence.

With Clyne’s arrival, the Saints’ wide forwards will receive much more freedom and would not have to swiftly track back at all times.

Read more: Why Southampton can solve their attacking woes by signing this £65,000-a-week PL star in January

Mark Hughes should definitely bring Nathaniel Clyne back to Southampton in January. The Saints have already snapped up Danny Ings from Liverpool this summer and can complete another coup by landing Nathaniel Clyne.