Birmingham City have a startling surprise for Southampton fans as they have put Staplewood talent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on their transfer to-do list.
Southampton fans, the present state of the Championship table looks in a different mould entirely. It's not only due to Matt Le Tissier's Sheffield United verdict that is unfolding worlds apart to their actual performance, but overall teams thought to be on the upper side of the balance are losing their grip on the field.
Now, one shy of five points doesn't paint Southampton as terrible but that shows how terrific sides like Birmingham City have been.
Was that due to keeping their nostalgia in check by not going for former Saints star Nathan Redmond? Well, boyhood sensations from back in the decade are exciting to work with again, but simultaneously, there can be a fair case made for moving onwards to the current bunch.
Oxlade-Chamberlain can lead Birmingham and PL result might be a reason
Redmond won't oppose this Birmingham stance but Southampton fans are to be left in awe watching the Blues rework their limits with seasoned marquee stars. As mentioned by Sky Sports, Birmingham City are gazing at the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain situation and may do something far more concrete than the Saints.
Firmly agree that Southampton's higher chiefs may not be without doubts about the deal but even if a fee was mandated, it would be an affordable price.
Rest, it's intriguing to see Birmingham's enthusiasm for Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 32-year-old is not a captain material unlike his Southampton fellow Adam Lallana but a leadership role may be on the Championship rivals mind.
Sunderland banked on newly-instated captain Granit Xhaka's decision making to cap off a West Ham victory and Birmingham will also be eager to tweak what worked well for a Premier League outfit. Let's wait to know how good this strategy turns in the second division.