Southampton suffered a major blow lately with their key defender and club captain Jose Fonte handing in a transfer request. The Saints are not having an impressive season this time around under Claude Puel who took over from Ronald Koeman. The transition period has been tough for them and amidst the troublesome time, one of the club’s key players looking to pave his way out from the club probably is the last thing the fans wanted to hear.
Considering Fonte’s experience and caliber, he should not find it difficult to get suitors for himself and the Saints should start looking for replacements for him.
Here are three players they could consider signing-
Daley Blind
Blind started the season as more of a regular under Mourinho but now seems to be out of favour at Manchester United. Despite first-choice pairing Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling missing through injuries, we saw Mourinho opting to play Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo at the heart of the defence. Mourinho is reportedly looking for defenders in January and a new defender will make Blind’s first-team chances even more limited. A calm and composed defender like Blind could prove to be a solid addition to Southampton considering the manner in which they play.
Ben Gibson
Ben Gibson has been the stellar performer for Boro this season in their comeback campaign to the Premier League. The Englishman has been a rock in Aitor Karanka’s stubborn defence which has proved to be really hard to break.
A brilliant reader of the game and someone who can lead the back four, he is much ahead of his age in terms of maturity and composure. Still only 23, he also fits in Southampton’s philosophy of signing younger players and has a big resale value. He could prove to be a brilliant replacement for Fonte.
Mamadou Sakho
Lallana, Lambert, Lovren, Clyne and Mane- Liverpool have signed these many players from Southampton in the last three years. Southampton now should go back to Liverpool to fill in the void that will be created by Jose Fonte’s departure. The Frenchman is frozen out of the Liverpool squad for unknown reasons despite the fact that he is a quality defender and a natural leader of the back four. Sakho would be a huge addition to Southampton defence with his experience at the top level and Liverpool are unlikely to stand in his way of signing for a club with whom they have an excellent transfer relation.
