Tyler Dibling's surprise Everton move has upset the fans, but at least they will be content that they didn't part on poor terms with him, unlike Newcastle United and Alexander Isak's ongoing standoff.
No matter how naive Saints fans act, they had their fate with Tyler Dibling destined the moment Southampton returned to Everton's offer on the table. Well, tuning in to that reality, it's been nothing but a near £50m payday for Saints after Sky Sports announced Dibling's departure.
Yet, having admitted that, it would be masking the truth to call Dibling's departure unafflicting Saints' plans. Truth be told, with another wing departure, Southampton are left to rush into the market for eleventh-hour searches, that too when the window now hosts more flops than finds.
Still, guess what? Ask the optimistic Saints fanbase, and they are ready with their positives apart from the big transfer windfall collected.
As per them, Southampton have staved off an Alan Shearer-like transfer guilt from their part. Collecting almost close to their initial demand fee, the Saints have cashed enough for Dibling, whose consistency and finishing abilities remain a question that Everton fans must possess.
Interestingly enough, with limited Top Flight experience in his CV, Saints have just turned Dibling's transfer into a fairly losable deal for Everton rather than a big blow to their youngsters potential pool.
Saints fans happy to have parted ways with Dibling fair and square
Yet, apart from all these financial gains, the one aspect where every Saint will applaud the management would be for their Dibling's deal handling. Who knows, had things fared worse, the prodigy's departure might have replicated scenes of Newcastle United's Alexander Isak standoff.
If you don't know, Newcastle's apprehension of retaining their star number 9, Isak, has fueled a cold standstill with the forward. So much so, that let alone improving those scenarios, the Magpies fear losing the notable Champions League qualification work they put in last season.
Thankfully, Dibling and Southampton haven't soured their relations, with the player still a likeable presence among the fanbase which will root for him to join the meritorious ex-Saints tally soon.
No doubt, Dibling's departure affects, but maybe the financial leverage accounted for combined with this Newcastle consolation is a fair trade-off for one of their prized assets in the 19-year-old.