Mark Hughes did a really good job in getting Southampton out of the drop zone, late last season. He will now be responsible for taking the club closer to the top half of the table and will want to add some quality to his first team. However, he might lose a few of his first-team stars due to lack of progress at St Mary’s and one such player that has now quit the club is Dusan Tadic.
The Serbian international as an integral part of the first team at St Mary’s for quite a while now but seems to have lost his rhythm recently. Hughes has decided to let him leave, with reports claiming that he has completed a £9.7m move to Eredivisie giants Ajax. He is a versatile player, who will be hard to replace but here are three options the Saints should look this summer, to replace the 29-year old:
Joe Allen (Stoke City)
The Welsh international is one of the most experienced midfielders in the country at the moment and was one of the most consistent players for the Potters in a season that ended with relegation. At 28, he is still at the peak of his game and is expected to move back to the Premier League before the start of the new season. He failed to keep Stoke City afloat last season but is a more than a decent addition to Saints’ squad. He may not be a like for like replacement for Tadic but is more than capable of adding creativity to the side.
Max Meyer
The German international had the final few months of his contract terminated earlier in the season and is now a free agent, searching for a new club. Reports suggest that a couple of English clubs have been offered a chance to sign but both teams have baulked at his wage requirements. Southampton will also have a similar problem with Meyer but if they are ready to take the gamble, they will have a genuine match-winner in their hands, and a possible upgrade on Tadic, on a free transfer.
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Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City):
The Swiss international still has a future at the World Cup in Russia but his club future is seriously in doubt. Having failed to keep Stoke City in the top flight, Shaqiri now has a release clause that could rise up to £13.5m. But at that price, he is an absolute steal in the current transfer market and will be a huge upgrade on the Serbian international.
