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Making the Grade: Southampton Transfer Window Summer 2016

By Aaron Preston

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Preimer Leauge footballs on the ptich prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Preimer Leauge footballs on the ptich prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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In: Nathan Redmond

NORWICH, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Nathan Redmond of Norwich City celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Watford at Carrow Road on May 11, 2016 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
NORWICH, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Nathan Redmond of Norwich City celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Watford at Carrow Road on May 11, 2016 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /

Position: Striker/Winger

Purchased From: Norwich City FC (English Premier League/Football League Championship)

Fee: £10m

Redmond’s last year was a bright spot in an otherwise dull Norwich City campaign that ultimately ended in relegation. Playing in senior teams since age 16 with Birmingham City, the 22 year old possesses a game maturity beyond his years. Having been capped at every junior level for England, he seems a lock for the senior Three Lions squad in the very near future and screams “young talent,” fitting Southampton’s M.O. to the letter.

Claude Puel was enamoured of Redmond’s ability in the early goings, and reportedly intends to redesign the Englishman into a proper striker. Whether or not he’ll be able to turn Redmond into the next Thierry Henry or Alexandre Lacazette, at £10m its a smart buy for a player who’ll pull his weight in goalscoring ability.

Grade: 7/10

In: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – SEPTEMBER 04: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Denmark controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2018 european qualifier match between Denmark and Armenia at Telia Parken Stadium on September 4, 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images)
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – SEPTEMBER 04: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Denmark controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2018 european qualifier match between Denmark and Armenia at Telia Parken Stadium on September 4, 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images) /

Position: Midfielder

Purchased From: FC Bayern Munchen (Bundesliga)

Fee: £12.8m

My bias for Danishman Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has been covered in-depth previously. There’s little left to add here. The onetime heir-apparent to Bastian Schweinsteiger, Højbjerg found himself unable to break through a stacked first team at the Allianz Arena. Subsequent loans around the Bundesliga eventually led to his relocation to Southampton for a fresh start.

While Højbjerg’s fresh start set the Saints back almost 13 million pounds, he’s thus far proven himself worth the price. At 21, he’s been capped for the Danish national squad 17 times and like Redmond, has a game maturity beyond his professional years. His reputation has been as a box-to-box midfielder, and while he hasn’t gotten much of a chance to play attacking quite yet, the campaign to come should show if he’s good for it.

If Højbjerg lives up to his reputation, he’ll be a player the Saints will be hard-pressed to hang onto come next summer. For now, he’s a sleeper candidate for best bargain-buy in the Premiership.

Grade: 10/10