Southampton fans here in the Tavern are hoping that their side can ensure survival this season, as the Virgil Van Dijk money is still waiting to be spent on possible additions.
The Saints fans headed into this season full of high hopes having learnt that they’d be under the guidance of Mauricio Pellegrino, but the Argentine’s reign hasn’t been as successful as he’d like with him leading Southampton towards a possible exit from the Premier League. And, the January transfer window only went to further extend their worries, as Guido Carillo was the only notable signing made by the club after pocketing £75 million from the sale of the world’s most expensive defender.
However, it wasn’t the lack of trying that halted the progress of transfer developments involving the Saints, as highly-rated Dutch winger Quincy Promes was heavily linked with a move to St Mary’s. But, after receiving news of a failed £25 million bid for the Spartak Moscow player as time was running out, it’s now made for Southampton to be hopeful of landing him in the summer instead.
A player that’s attracted the attention of Liverpool over the past year, and a promising individual that could have a huge say in the future of the Saints should they manage to avoid relegation this season.
But with out further do, here’s a look at TWO other players who could follow the winger to St Mary’s in the summer…
Erik Lamela
The 25-year-old has recently returned from a long-term injury that had robbed him of over 400 days of football, as setbacks continue to be ever-present in the career of the Argentine. But, after returning to the squad as a fully fit member he hasn’t received the game time he’d like, as his absence had caused for him to fall down the pecking order.
Therefore, in a Southampton side that already has the trickery of Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond within their ranks, the addition of the highly-rated Erik Lamela could see their attack rival some of the best in the top-flight.
And, for a Southampton side that preferred to secure permanent signings in the transfer window gone by, the money pocketed for Virgil Van Dijk could be used to draw the attacker away from Wembley Stadium after failing to bring him on loan during the closing stages of the transfer window.
Hatem Ben Arfa
The Frenchman was once one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the Premier League during his time at St James’ Park, before the sale of the 30-year-old saw his career drastically deteriorate. However, after signing for French champions PSG last summer, the trickster has failed to produce any of the brilliance that earned him a move to the French capital with a lack of game-time taking its toll.
Nevertheless, he recently came out to state that he doesn’t feel like he exists anymore, as the Leicester City target continues to stagnate at the Parc des Princes. Therefore, this provides the opportunity for Southampton to swoop in for a player who has talent in abundance, with his contract set to run out in the summer.
