Here at the Transfer Tavern we are blessed to welcome a diverse range of football fans through our doors on a regular basis, from punters with thick Geordie accents reminiscing the days of Beardsley and Shearer, to West Country folk amazed by the form of Lee Johnson’s Bristol City.
However at this current moment in time, we cannot find a group of fans more excited by the January transfer window than our Southampton boys from the south coast.
In high spirits following the £75 million windfall acquired from the sale of defender Virgil van Dijk, Saints fans have been drinking long into the night, discussing exactly where their new-found fortune must be spent if the club are to begin their rise up the table towards the European spots.
Keen to hear their transfer opinions, our landlord pulled himself a pint and joined the South coast boys for a late jar before closing to discover exactly who they wanted this month.
Many areas of the squad were discussed, but a quality creative midfielder appeared to be high on the wishlist of fans.
Dusan Tadic has proven a success since his arrival from FC Twente in 2014, but it is clear the Serb needs some help.
An expert in the Dutch leagues, our landlord recommended another return to the European nation, and a swoop on capital club, Ajax.
Midfielder Hakim Ziyech proved sensational during his own stretch with Twente, before being picked up by Ajax in 2016.
Continuing his fine form with the Amsterdam-based side, the 24-year-old has already registered an impressive four goals and eight assists this season, and is likely to be on the plane to the World Cup in Russia next summer alongside Saints winger Sofiane Boufal with the Moroccan national side.
Ziyech is one of the most exciting young creative midfielders on the continent, and for Mauricio Pellegrino to secure his signature would be a real coup for the club.
The Dutch-born attackers appears ready for a Premier League move, and with his raw pace and eye for a pass, our landlord cannot help but feel that the player has all the necessary attributes to make a name for himself in the English top-flight with Southampton.
Saints fans, where else do you feel your squad needs strengthening with the van Dijk money? Have your say below…
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