Crystal Palace closely monitor Rav van den Berg to overtake Southampton and other clubs' interest in the defender.
The majority of Southampton fans would agree that having seen many potential signings pass by, missing out on candidates doesn't hurt as before. Yet, being forced out of some transfer races has definitely irked the supporters time and again.
Well, their former transfer target Max Johnston's case has been a prime example. But if the fans were nuanced by the full-back preferring a foreign Top Flight, imagine the reaction if he chose an English club?
Intriguingly, that's becoming the reality in their centre-back target Rav van den Berg's case, who after rejecting the Saints, is closing on a Crystal Palace move.
Despite camouflaged on the surface of van den Berg's rumours, Crystal Palace has been monitoring the defender for a long time. And finally, the Premier League side looks set to materialise their behind-the-scenes work as they look to weigh up a pursuit for the 20-year-old.
As per the Northern Echo, Crystal Palace had eyes in the stands as Rav van den Berg stood helpless at the U21 Euros' quarterfinal's full-time whistle. While the player eventually lost, he seems to have done enough to make it to the shortlist of Palace's summer targets.
Saints losing on the next Virgil van Dijk profile
Honestly, having gotten eliminated from Rav van den Berg's transfer case some time back, there's not much in it left for the Saints. Yet, seeing the next-Virgil van Dijk develop away from St. Mary's would pinch them for sure.
Having physical prowess and abilities as the Saints icon, Rav van den Berg looks like a tailormade to follow in van Dijk's legacy. And sorrowfully, Southampton feels far from the contention list for not boasting a Premier League tag currently.
Ultimately, Southampton finds itself consoling for the transfer loss as happened in Crystal Palace loanee Rak-Sakyi's case. It's just that, earlier it was for a Palace prodigy and now, it's because of the club with van den Berg.
While many may not realize, it's been long since Southampton made a signing this summer. Hopefully, the board will change that soon.