According to latest reports, Premier League giants Arsenal have emerged as the latest favourites in the race to sign Southampton sensation Dusan Tadic in the coming summer, as the Gunners try to recover from the shockingly poor season they have endured so far.
The North-London club currently sits in the sixth position of the Premier League table with the danger of missing out on a place in the top four for the first time in 21 years. The dilemma is further compounded by the threat of star players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil leaving the club at the end of the season as contract talks have reached a halt.
Tadic has been one of the most impressive players under Claude Puel this season in what has been an immensely inconsistent campaign for the Saints. And although the 28-year-old Serbian international has managed to score three and assist five this season so far, his displays have earned him enough admirers across Europe, who believe that the attacking midfielder can achieve bigger things.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal will face stiff competition from Serie A sides Juventus and Napoli, and La Liga side Atletico Madrid in landing the player. A bidding war is expected this summer, and Tadic’s petty release clause, which is said to be just under £13m, further intensifies it.
Arsenal have a thick core of quality midfielders, which include the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Elneny. And the fact that the Gunners have struggled immensely this season, is indicative of the fact that a change is needed next season. Tadic might find his competition decreasing in Arsenal if Ozil and Sanchez leave this summer.
He hogged all the limelight in the interlull as he bagged one goal and two assists in Serbia’s 3-1 win against Georgia. An academy product of Serbian side FK Vojvodina Novi Sad, Tadic made his way up through the ranks of Netherlands sides FC Groningen and FC Twente before Southampton picked him up in 2014. He has since scored 14 goals in 87 Premier League games.
A left-winger by nature, Tadic can also play from the centre, just as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger likes it. Arsenal have previously bought players from Southampton, who today form an important part of their first team, like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Calum Chambers, who is out on loan to Middlesbrough as of now is expected to play a bigger role next season.
And although Tadic is definitely not the perfect replacement for Arsenal’s Chilean star Alexis Sanchez, he could definitely be a significant addition to the side.
