Southampton missed out on signing James McAtee last year, with ex-Saints director Jason Wilcox's Man United move, and now, McAtee is closing on a Nottingham Forest transfer.
In case you haven't forgotten, Saints fans, the deadline has passed for Samuel Edozie's final transfer verdict. And yet, with no one confronting the 22-year-old, the supporters know that the most important thing they now lose in Edozie's case is time.
After all, Had the Man City academy graduate been open about his plans, Saints could have fared better on their left wing with the addition of ex-Man United talent Ramazani. Yet, now all those dreams may go unfulfilled due to Edozie's delay.
Now, from above, many would conclude that the idea of Man United and Man City coming indirectly together in a transfer frame is what has affected Southampton. But, what most don't have a hint about is this ain't the first time of it happening.
Rewind back to last year for the case of Man City prodigy James McAtee whom Saints fans have forgotten by now.
Notably, McAtee stood as the then favourite for the attacking midfield role, before Mateus Fernandes slotted in. And, given the Saints track record of talent buys from Man City and Big Six, McAtee's move felt poised to proceed, too. Until a single move destroyed it all.
That's because of the then Saints director Jason Wilcox's summer switch to Man United which left the McAtee deal hanging. Fast forward to now, the 22-year-old talent's potential speaks loud as he nears an over £20m to Nottingham.
Saints fans realize the opportunity missed on McAtee's deal
Recently, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the story, saying: "Nottingham Forest are closing in on James McAtee deal with Manchester City! Agreement at the final stages for fee in excess of £20m, Nottingham confident to get it done… here we go, expected soon."
Honestly, realizing that, McAtee has been Nottingham's backup option after a failed Mateus Fernandes pursuit will give the Saints fans enough confidence. But the truth be told, the reality could have been much brighter on the Saints part had they signed McAtee themselves previously.
Being widely reputed for cashing in on their player development abilities, McAtee could have been turned into another cashable asset alongside Mateus, Tyler Dibling and other valuable Saints starlets. And that's after, when keeping aside how they might have employed him in a crucial role like ex-teammate Shea Charles, who's now starring in the Saints midfield.
But again, looking for missed opportunities down the line always happens to be an easier task than enduring the reality. The Saints are bettering off under Will Still, while McAtee is on a new Top Flight chapter. Who knows, someday their paths collide in the future.