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Davy Klaassen’s arrival may have massively aided Southampton

By Chris Hughes

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 23: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Davy Klaassen of Ajax speaks to the media during the press conference at The Friends Arena ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final between Ajax and Manchester United at Friends Arena on May 23, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 23: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Davy Klaassen of Ajax speaks to the media during the press conference at The Friends Arena ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final between Ajax and Manchester United at Friends Arena on May 23, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images) /
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Last week Everton brought in Davy Klaassen from Ajax in their second major play of the summer. His arrival could help the Saints this summer.

Ronald Koeman may have done his former employers Southampton a big favour with his transfer business this summer, having brought in Davy Klaaseen from Ajax last week.

The deal was worth a reported £23.5 million, meaning it would be wise to presume that Klaassen will be a starter next season on Merseyside.

The 24-year-old is regularly deployed for both club and country in the attacking midfield role, suggesting he will be Everton’s number 10 next season.

This would therefore logically suggest that the Toffees will no longer go in for Gylfi Sigurdsson, giving the Saints a much bigger chance of landing the man.

Southampton wouldn’t have been able to challenge Everton one-on-one in the transfer market due to the latter’s financial power and European football, meaning the Saints could now have a very realistic chance of landing the Icelandic playmaker.

SWANSEA, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 21: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City(L) reacts at the final whistle during the Premier League match between Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 21: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City(L) reacts at the final whistle during the Premier League match between Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

But that isn’t the only way Klaassen’s arrival may of aided Southampton, as it could all-but be the nail in the coffin of Ross Barkley’s Everton career.

The English midfielder was given until the end of the season to sign a new contract or be sold, and five weeks later the two are still at a stalemate.

It means that Barkley will now likely be sold, and in turn Tottenham are the favourites to sign him. Who else are the Spurs interested in? Gylfi Sigurdsson.

If Spurs now direct their attention purely onto Barkley, then the Saints will become the favourites to sign the Swansea City man.

It means that Koeman’s signing of former Ajax playmaker Klaassen may of inadvertently helped the side he left, as the Saints could now smash their transfer record to sign the attacking midfielder.