Former Southampton attacking target Jonathan David has completed his blockbuster Juventus move with the Saints left to rue their costly transfer slip.
Nowadays, Southampton fans must be feeling thrilled to keep up with their departing players' new kit poses and official transfer confirmations. And they might even be rubbing their eyes while watching the Paul Onuachu one at long last.
Well, it goes to show how much the Saints fanbase still lament the club's initial idea to splash a hefty cash on him solely for his Belgian top-flight exploits. Still, the impression about the Belgian league will have been different among the St. Mary's circles if a rival striker had been snapped up from there.
Back in 2020, the Saints had enjoyed their best domestic season in three years and were again expected to prepare a top-table push. According to a then Voetbalkrant report (via Get Football News France), Southampton had cast their transfer nets on a rising 20-year-old goal machine, Jonathan David.
Southampton's silence prevented Jonathan David bargain deal
In all honesty, David was an in-demand forward that summer, still, it was obvious that mid-table sides like Southampton would be the ones making some concrete efforts to acquire his signature. At the beginning of the new season, David was indeed playing on the same team as iconic Saint Jose Fonte but that was in the red kit of Lille instead of the Saints' red and white one.
In a bizarre turn of events, he lifted the league title within twelve months highlighting the comical mistake Southampton made with their quiet approach.
And call it a coincidence but recently, David ran down his contract at a time when the demoted Saints couldn't even imagine adding him to their roster.
In his own words, Fabrizio Romano has updated on his blockbuster European transfer saying: "Understand Juventus have now booked medical for Jonathan David on Friday! Here we go, revealed and confirmed since this morning."
Ultimately, the Canadian number nine is finalising his deserved Italian move and this time, it's no regret for Southampton either. Yet, his overall progress in the past few years speaks how much he could've achieved here both individually as well as collectively if the decision makers gave their nod to bring him to English football.