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Southampton: Dusan Tadic linked with Ajax, Geoff Cameron to Saints?

By Chris Hughes

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Geoff Cameron of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on December 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Geoff Cameron of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on December 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Late yesterday evening Southampton were linked with a move for one of Mark Hughes’ old players, whilst Tadic has been strongly linked with leaving the club.

Both of these two reported deals have divided the camp, with strong pros and cons regarding each of the possible transfers. On the way in could be Geoff Cameron – a versatile albeit older defender who would still command a serious transfer fee.

Heading out of the exit door would be Dusan Tadic, who’s upturn in form has given Southampton supporters reason to believe that the Serbian could enjoy a lucrative season under Mark Hughes.

First and foremost though the Welshman will apparently look to raid his former side for their American defender. Cameron is 32-years-old but can play pretty much anywhere across the back-line or in defensive-midfield – that kind of versatility could prove useful.

However the report confirms that Cameron has not long signed a new contract with Stoke, which apparently includes a £5 million release clause which the relegated side want met. The Saints are in need of a new back-up right-back but the fee involved is quite steep for a role-player.

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BELGRADE, SERBIA – OCTOBER 09: Dusan Tadic of Serbia looks on prior to the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Georgia at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2017 in Belgrade. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – OCTOBER 09: Dusan Tadic of Serbia looks on prior to the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Georgia at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2017 in Belgrade. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /

Perhaps more interestingly however rumours linking Dusan Tadic back to the Netherlands have gathered some serious pace. A report from Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has suggested that Ajax have not only agreed a fee with the Saints, but that personal terms have been reached with the Serbian playmaker.

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The reported deal would apparently be a fairly steep 17 million euros, with the Dutch side having already sold winger Justin Kluivert and with Hakim Ziyech potentially following, they are in desperate need for some creative talent.

Tadic was impressive towards the end of the season and was perhaps Southampton’s best player during the relegation run-in, however for most of the last two campaigns he has failed to deliver regularly.

Some of this will no-doubt be down to the play styles he has been forced into, but at times the Serbian has looked disinterested and has been a shadow of what we saw under Ronald Koeman – there is potential for Tadic to re-find that form, but the money Southampton are reportedly being offered seems too good to reject.

The deal could apparently go through as soon as the end of this week, which suggests to some like the club were under the impression that James Maddison was a done deal at the point they gave this departure the green light. This is worrying as the Saints haven’t seemed to have found a replacement as of yet.

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