Southampton: Saints have bid accepted for Elyounoussi as Tadic nears exit
By Chris Hughes
According to reports last night, Southampton could be set for a quick exchange of attackers having had a bid accepted for Mohamed Elyounoussi whilst Dusan Tadic nears the exit door.
Less than 24 hours after bringing in attacking midfielder Stuart Armstrong, Southampton look set to make their second signing of the summer, with Sky Sources reporting that the Saints have had a bid for Basel winger Mohamed Elyounoussi accepted.
The winger will cost Mark Hughes’ side around £16-17 million if the reports are true, with more than one source claiming that the Saints’ have had the bid accepted.
Assuming it’s true, the deal will make the 23-year-old the most expensive Norwegian footballer in history, but he comes with a good pedigree after registering 11 goals and 15 assists last season in the Swiss first division.
Elyounoussi seems to be being brought in as a direct replacement for Dusan Tadic, with the Basel man capable of playing anywhere behind the striker – naturally he is left-sided but he is also very twin-footed meaning he could easily play in the #10 role or down the right flank.
Next: Southampton sign Stuart Armstrong
Sky are also reporting that the Saints’ deal to sell Dusan Tadic to Ajax is nearly completion, with the Serbian having been keen on a move back to the Netherlands for some time.
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At 29, with just two years left on his contract, the Saints realistically can’t turn down the reported £18-20 million bid from the Dutch side, irregardless of his end-of-season form for Southampton.
Assuming the figures are true, the deal for Elyounoussi won’t cost the Saints a penny, with pretty much all of their reported spending being reimbursed by the Tadic deal. As a result, the club should have plenty of funds to bring in another winger, a striker, and a new centre-back which are all needed before the campaign starts.
Whilst Tadic played well towards the end of the season, there’s no denying that in the last two seasons he’s spent the best part below par – for every match-defining performance there was four or five sub-par ones.
Saints could still be rivaled by German side Wolfsburg for the signature of Elyounoussi, but supporters will remain hopeful that the prospect of playing in the Premier League is enough to attract the 23-year-old.
The Basel winger has some serious potential and he’s younger than both Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond – Southampton need to get this one across the line.