It has been reported this afternoon that Southampton’s Dusan Tadic is a firm target for Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax.
The 29-year-old joined Southampton from FC Twente back in the summer of 2014 for a reported £11million fee and he’s scored 23 goals in 134 starting appearances and he’s also come off the bench on 28 occasions.
📝 Ajax have reportedly agreed to sign Dusan Tadic in a deal worth €17.1m.
What are your thoughts on this? Considering his recent uptake in form since Mark Hughes joined, I’m genuinely surprised we would sell for such an insignificant fee. #Saintsfc #EPL pic.twitter.com/n0x5XfGCkf
— talkSAINTS 🏴 (@talkSAINTS) June 21, 2018
Despite his game record at St Mary’s Stadium it’s more than fair to say last season was hardly a standout campaign for him, although he did find the net seven times in 41 appearances for us and seemed to pick up when Mark Hughes arrived. It’s fair to say 2017/18 was hardly a standout campaign for anybody in the squad in reality as we battled against relegation for much of the campaign, so he wasn’t alone.
In any event, Sky Sports have reported that whilst Tadic is away on World Cup duty for Serbia this month, Ajax and Southampton are locked in talks over doing a potential deal ahead of the new campaign beginning.
No fee is yet being suggested by Sky and Saints fans know there will definitely be some departures this summer as Hughes stamps his own mark on the squad, but despite some consistency issues I wouldn’t have thought Tadic would’ve been one of the first out of the door. He does still have two years left on his deal and we know what he’s capable of when on song and over the season there was a mini bromance in the press between the player and gaffer with the compliments that flew in both directions.
It begs the question as to who is driving this transfer if it comes to pass?
As per the above tweet though, different reports are available and they have their own take on the progression of the talks. I’m far from alone in being a little surprised at the news though.
The only, and I mean only logical idea I can think of is his age, the club put Profit ahead of sentiment #SaintsFC
— David Picariello Edwards ©️ (@gabbiagenie) June 21, 2018
And then probably wonder why there’s so much uproar with fans
— David Picariello Edwards ©️ (@gabbiagenie) June 21, 2018
Sums up everything you need to know about our transfer policy #clueless
— Chris Allen (@chrisstewartsfc) June 21, 2018
Terrible idea unless they have someone really astounding waiting to sign. That, let's face it, is incredibly unlikely.
— Lucy Highnett (@lucyhighnett) June 21, 2018
This better be some bs! Also, how the actual hell is Carrillo worth more than Dušan bloody Tadic!?!?!?!?!
— Cal-Melon (@callumfield06) June 21, 2018
He’s one of our most creative players. Ok he has been poor at times but that’s been down to bad management and the general malaise at the club for the past 2 seasons. He’s one we should be keeping and signing improved players around him.
— Nick Price (@NickPrice) June 21, 2018
Very poor decision
— Chris Hughes (@Hughesy1010) June 21, 2018
One of our better Players. £15m is an absolute ‘Steal’. Add on another £10m. Mugs to sell him so cheaply. Here we are rumoured to spend about £24m for a young, promising CB, for the future. We’ve enough of those already. Madness, total madness. Hopefully Les will still be asleep
— Saintjeff (@saintjeff52) June 21, 2018
I’m baffled by this
— Darren Boyce-Smith (@Boyce_SmithDJ) June 21, 2018
Others thought it made sensible business at his age and took it as an indication that another piece of speculation may be close to coming off.
I thought everyone on here wanted him to go a few months back…. weekly “why is Tadic on the team sheet”. Save for a decent late run under Hughes. Perhaps Shaqiri is a shoo in once that deal is done.
— Phil Hurst (@philly_1987) June 21, 2018
Fans have been criticising the lad all year. Think he's a fantastic players but hugely inconsistent and this was a good deal in the end- hope we bring in a number 10 similar to him, or bring Hesketh through
— luke (@yeahokayluke) June 21, 2018
Happy days! Finally might get a play maker that turns up for more than a quarter of the season. Would fly him there if I had a plane
— Sam Salter (@salter_sam) June 21, 2018
Good business for a 30yr old.
He hasnt set the World on fire.
Good replacement or Sims given more opportunities????— Darren Arnold (@ArnoldArnoo76) June 21, 2018
This seems crazy, especially as he was like a new player under Hughes, who he clearly respects and wants to play for.
If it’s because they want to sign Shaqiri, then (going on their recent track record) surely they should sort that deal out first BEFORE letting Tadic leave?— Antony B-C (@antonybc) June 21, 2018
Yea good time to sell for both player and club. He needs a fresh start and we need another more consistent creative player. He was a enjoyable to watch at times and will be missed I’m sure.
— Tom 182 (@Tom182s) June 21, 2018
Getting up there in age won't get that much more for him as he approaches his 30s
— Ryan Lionel Bentley (@RL_Bentley) June 21, 2018
Hesketh
— Ian Simpson (@gipsysimmo) June 21, 2018
