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Southampton: Saints loosely linked with Filip Kostic

By Chris Hughes

BELGRADE, SERBIA - OCTOBER 09: Filip Kostic of Serbia in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Austria at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2016 in Belgrade, . (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - OCTOBER 09: Filip Kostic of Serbia in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Austria at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2016 in Belgrade, . (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /
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According to reports in the German media, Southampton are keen on adding Serbian forward Filip Kostic to their ranks following Hamburg’s relegation from the Bundesliga.

As reported by the ever-helpful Sports Witness, it’s being suggested today that the Saints are among those interested in the 25-year-old winger, with Spanish side Valencia also linked with him.

Despite the interest it doesn’t appear that Mark Hughes’ side have lodged a formal bid for the Serb, meaning it may just be rumour similar to the one linking Southampton to Danny Ings late last week.

However with Kostic’s team Hamburg willing to ‘sell to the highest bidder’, a deal for the winger could be struck at a good price, with the German side keen to unload some talent having struggled financially in the past year.

Hamburg were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga at the end of last season, finishing 17th and scoring just 29 goals in the process. Despite this, Kostic scored five and set up another, a good return for someone playing for a relegated side.

Next: Do Southampton need another right-back?

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – June 27: Filip Kostic of Serbia in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – June 27: Filip Kostic of Serbia in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Although naturally left-footed, Kostic has play just about anywhere across the front line, having also featured just off of the striker at times last season in the Bundesliga.

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Whilst it seems like Hughes will be deploying the Saints with only two supporting players off of the forward, the Serbian international’s versatility could prove key. If either Nathan Redmond or Mohamed Elyounoussi get injured and Sofiane Boufal is indeed sold, then Southampton will seriously lack pace and creativity – Kostic could fill that void.

Back when it seems like Southampton may still play with three players behind the striker, it seemed like an absolute certain they would sign another attacker after Elyounoussi, something which saw the club linked with Anthony Limbombe. Since playing 3-4-2-1 however, rumours have died out.

Furthermore with his ability to play alongside a natural striker when needed, there’s no reason why the Saints’ couldn’t play 3-5-2 with the 25-year-old partnering Charlie Austin up top, much like the side used to do with Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle under Ronald Koeman.

The report doesn’t state how much a deal for the winger would cost, but with German side struggling financially the Saints could perhaps strike a deal within the £10 million mark, something which would make for good business.

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