Middlesbrough set Southampton an eight-figure Finn Azaz asking price as Will Still comments on move

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Southampton are targeting Finn Azaz from their Championship rivals Middlesbrough, but the Saints will have to shell out a sizeable fee.

Southampton face Stoke City this weekend after enjoying an impressive start to Championship life under Will Still.

Southampton beat Wrexham 2-1 on the opening weekend before being held to a 1-1 draw at fellow promotion contenders Ipswich Town.

Off the field, the Saints are extremely active in the transfer market, both in terms of incomings and outgoings, with deadline day fast approaching.

Still’s side have been linked with several attacking recruits of late, with Middlesbrough star Finn Azaz now on their radar.

• READ MORE: Southampton outcast who ‘was rubbish’ last season is looking for fresh start under Will Still

Middlesbrough’s asking price for Finn Azaz amid Southampton talks

Southampton are in the market for forward reinforcements amid reports that Saints attacker Tyler Dibling is wanted by Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Everton.

As a result, the Saints have been planning for life without the in-demand youngster, after it emerged that Southampton are in talks with Middlesbrough over Azaz.

After joining Boro from Aston Villa in January 2024 for a fee in the region of £2.5m, the Republic of Ireland international has notched double figures for goals and assists across the last two seasons.

Azaz was in splendid form for Boro under Michael Carrick last season, scoring 12 goals with 11 assists in 46 games, but could not help his side finish in the play-off places.

With Still’s Southampton targeting Azaz, Middlesbrough have placed an asking price in the “region of £12m” for the attacking midfielder’s services.

The Northern Echo report: “Southampton are understood to have made an opening bid for Azaz but the offer didn’t match Boro’s valuation.

“Talks are continuing, with Southampton aware of Boro’s asking price, understood to be in the region of £12m.”

Ahead of Southampton’s home clash with Stoke on Saturday, Still has commented for the first time on the Azaz deal.

• READ MORE: Former Stoke City favourite fondly remembers the ‘best experiences’ of his career at ‘Stokelona’

Will Still comments on Finn Azaz amid Southampton talks

Azaz wants to play in the Premier League by his own admission, and the ongoing talks point towards the 24-year-old feeling he has a faster chance of reaching the top flight under Still rather than Rob Edwards at Boro.

In his pre-Stoke press conference, Still commented on the Azaz deal, but remained tight-lipped.

He said: “I said the list is long, and we want good players, we’re looking at good players.

“But, we want good players in the right conditions, that are going to fit what we are trying to do, not just on the footballing level but also on those human skills.

“Finn’s scored goals, he’s a good player, he knows he is.”

Azaz made his first appearance in Middlesbrough’s 3-0 Millwall win at the weekend following his return from injury, and notched an assist despite being introduced as a substitute with 22 minutes to go, which could be his last game in a Boro jersey if his Southampton talks materialise.