Southampton fans were ready to welcome Juma Bah at St. Mary's but Fabrizio Romano's loan update has abruptly faded that happiness.
Southampton fans, do you remember the frustrating end to this year's winter transfer window? The Saints were vying for more defensive depth at that time and consequently, scouted young defender Abakar Sylla.
Then there were optimistic speculations that the 22-year-old had already one foot inside St. Mary's, but he eventually snubbed Southampton. Well, this bizarre event happened only six months ago but the Saints fans can see a transfer repeat as soon as the coming week.
Just change the parent club from Chelsea to Manchester City, and another emerging centre-back appreciated by Southampton is slipping from the club's grasp.
Saints again left helpless in centre-back pursuit
Coming to the player, it's none other than Juma Bah who feels so much of a bargain addition that even the Saints faithful are pondering about ways to sweeten Taylor Harwood-Bellis' exit in order to better suit the 19-year-old's starting case at St. Mary's.
Unfortunately, those scenarios may remain imaginable only, because Bah has his mind set on remaining in Ligue 1. In his own words, Fabrizio Romano said: "Understand Manchester City defender Juma Bah will decide his next club on loan between Olympique Lyon and also OGC Nice."
Clearly, Southampton need to backtrack on this plan but where they must head to isn't this simple. In February, the decision-makers let the window run down and kept hold of their backline but this will be a stupidity right now considering the enormous time at hand.
Hence, they should dive deep into the young defenders market and may start calling the promotion-missed clubs like Sheffield United for temporary help. With a former Saint taking charge of them, any future discussions can hopefully lead to something concrete between the two parties.