Saints join throng scouting Portugal stars

Southampton were one of a number of clubs to send scouts to Boavista’s clash with Porto on Sunday but it is unclear who they were watching. Several top European outfits had representatives in the stands at Estadio do Bessa, with reports from Portuguese newspaper Record that scouts from five different countries were in attendance, including a number from the Premier League.
Porto claimed all three points after left-back Alex Telles scored the only goal of an uninspiring game in the ninth minute to send the Dragons up to second in the Primeira Liga standings.
Boavista are seventh and already 15 points adrift of table-topping Benfica but it seems unlikely Saints had their eyes on any of the home side’s stars.
Porto’s 27-year-old midfielder Sergio Oliveira had previously been on Southampton’s radar, with claims they made a bid for him two years ago.
Nothing materialised on that front – and he played no part in the match due to injury – but it seems likely Ralph Hasenhuttl, if he is still in charge, will look to recruit in January, with Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Everton leaving the St Mary’s outfit 19th in the standings.
The south-coast club are no strangers to scouting Portuguese clubs, with representatives regularly seen at matches in Portugal in recent times.
It is open to debate as to whether they actually have any specific targets in mind for January but there is still time to work on potential new recruits.
Scouts from Alaves, Genoa, Marseille, Manchester United and Watford are said to have attended the match as well, with the latter two also struggling in the English top-flight this term.
United may be seventh but are just two points better off than 15th-placed Everton, with reports the Red Devils will bring in new players in the winter window.