RALPH Hasenhuttl revealed Saints were looking at the possibility of bringing Timothy Castagne to the club last summer, before he made the move to Leicester. Discussing the challenge of trying to emulate a club like Leicester,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “They have managed to extend the contract with Jamie Vardy, who was the best goalscorer in the Premier League. And although they have lost players like (Riyad) Mahrez or (N’golo) Kante or (Harry) Maguire, you see they are still able to bring very good players in. But I only remember in the summer when we had an eye on Castagne, but for us as soon as they are in the duel, then we have no chance to get him. This is exactly what makes the difference between these two clubs. That is not a reason not to go in this game and say we still have a chance to win.”
Asked how frustrating it is to lose out on players to Leicester,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “For sure it is not nice but you have to accept the facts. And this is a fact that in the end it is all about having the financial power to do this and if you don’t have it, then you are a second winner.”
Quizzed further on the club’s pursuit of Castagne,
Ralph Hasenhuttl added: “I don’t want to discuss this topic, to be honest. He was an interesting player for us. He was available and we knew this. But let us keep it at that!”
