Southampton and Liverpool have locked horns in the transfer department several times over recent years.
The Saints had become all too used to having their top talents poached by the prying hands of Anfield, when the South Coast side were Premier League regulars, with both Virgil Van Dijk and Sadio Mane going on to have star-studded careers on Merseyside, after playing for Southampton.
Of course, Tonda Eckert's men don't have to be concerned by Andoni Iraola and Co. in the here and now, as the Saints are currently in the Championship, while the Reds gun for Premier League glory.
But, there is a star on the extensive Liverpool shopping list this summer, who was once reportedly looked at by Southampton, only as far back as 2024.
Liverpool chasing after former Saints target
Indeed, it was reported, during the summer of 2024, right after Russell Martin had guided the Saints to Premier League promotion, that Matias Fernandez-Pardo was on the Southampton shortlist.
Only 19 at the time, and plying his trade with KAA Gent in Belgium, the newly promoted outfit could have stumbled upon a gem, as he is now a hot commodity on Liverpool's radar.
As per journalist Ben Jacobs, Iraola's men, despite sealing the signing of Victor Munoz, are in the market for another lively winger this summer, and Fernandez-Pardo is just one of many names they're looking at.
Currently out at the World Cup with Belgium, it's clear that the Brussels-born sensation has a very bright future in the game.
In an alternate reality, he could have potentially lit up St. Mary's, as opposed to being a possible big-money sale for Lille this off-season.
Southampton must rue not snapping him up
The season Southampton sank back down to the Championship, they would only muster up a sorry 26 goals, the division's lowest by quite some distance.
If only they had the 21-year-old at their disposal to bamboozle defences, with Fernandez-Pardo just fresh off an eight goal campaign in Ligue 1, from only 29 league encounters.
Collecting a further five assists, as well, alongside competing in the Europa League, it's self-evident that the Lille number seven is ready for that next big move now, away from Les Dogues.
Remember the name: Matias Fernandez-Pardo 🇧🇪💨 pic.twitter.com/zZDLMWICSR
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 11, 2024
Arguably, Southampton might not have hit instant gold snapping up the vibrant attacker when they did, as he was still a wide-eyed attacker on the books of Gent when they were interested. Still, his raw ability would have made those scrappy relegation battles that bit more enticing.
After all, he did bag ten goals from 28 Gent appearances, so he would have enhanced the dire firepower.
Liverpool will be hoping he can be a talent that blossoms into being world-class for the Merseyside giants, if they can get their hands on him, with Mohamed Salah no longer around on the wings.
Linked with a move to a whole plethora of other Premier League suitors in recent months, including Mikel Arteta's title-winning Arsenal, the 21-year-old is sticking out as one of the most in-demand forwards in world football.
It's crazy to think that Southampton could have been one of the clubs listed on his career CV not too long ago, as while Fernandez-Pardo waits to see if he can win himself a blockbuster switch, Southampton will be trying to launch back into the top-flight with a four point deduction in tow.
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