Southampton inform Braga they will pay €30M release clause for Vitinha

Southampton want to sign Vitinha from Braga and are ready to pay his €30 million release clause, according to The Athletic.

The 22-year-old has been brilliant for the Portuguese club this season. The Saints have earmarked him as a potential addition before the close of the transfer window.

Vitinha has netted seven Primeira Liga goals and two assists this term after featuring in 17 games. He has matched his tally from last season with many games remaining.

He spent time with Casa Benfica and Aguias Alvite before joining Braga’s youth system in 2017. He scored 13 goals in 15 appearances for Braga’s reserves in the third division during the 2020/21 season.

Vitinha played in their youth team before making his senior team debut in February 2021. It was his only league appearance in that campaign before breaking into the team fully last season. He helped them win the Taca de Portugal at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

He has been superb for his side in the Europa League this season, netting four goals in five appearances as they crashed out of Group D after finishing third.

Vitinha notched one goal in nine Europa League games and created one big chance last term.

Southampton manager Nathan Jones has been trying to add firepower to his squad. Saints were interested in Lorient’s Terem Moffi, but he rejected them to stay in France and they have now turned to the Braga man.

Southampton desperately need a reliable and consistent goalscorer in their squad as they try to beat the drop.

They have only scored 17 goals after 20 league matches this season – only three teams in the division have scored less than them.

They have added Croatian international Mislav Orsic and midfielder Carlos Alcaraz from Racing Club in January. The south coast club also signed right-back James Bree.

It remains unclear if they can bring Vitinha in so close to the deadline, as Braga may not be able to secure a replacement in time, but they will push to get the deal over the line.