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According to a report by The Sun, Southampton failed in their bid to sign Manchester City talent Phil Foden on loan during the January transfer window, and he could have been a game-changer for the struggling south coast outfit.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Sun report that Saints, along with Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Newcastle United, were all keen to bring the teenager in on a temporary basis until the end of the season last month, but the top flight champions blocked an exit.

The Sun says that the 18-year-old, who is slowly but surely working his way into the first-team plans on a more regular basis, was held on to by Pep Guardiola as he wanted to give him more minutes in cup competitions – such as the trip to Newport County in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Meanwhile, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl failed to sign a single player during the window despite seeing the likes of Steven Davis, Manolo Gabbiadini, Wesley Hoedt and Cedric Soares depart, and his team lie in the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Arsenal next weekend.

Would Foden have been a good signing?

He certainly would have been.

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The attack-minded midfielder may have only made eight Premier League appearances this term – and 19 in all competitions – but he has shown the ability and potential he has even in his tender years.

Foden has three goals and two assists to his name, and he has that unpredictability to produce something different in the final third for his side.

As Southampton have found in recent weeks at home to Crystal Palace and Cardiff City, breaking down opposition defence isn't something they find easy to do, and the teenager would have been a game-changer for them in their battle against the drop if they could have got a deal done.