Southampton FC Looking To Sign Jordy Clasie and Charlie Austin Following Morgan Schneiderlin’s Departure
With news of another exodus from Southampton FC beginning to swirl, Saints manager Ronald Koeman has already targeted two players who the club could sign following the expected departure of star midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
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It is widely expected that Schneiderlin will leave Southampton FC in the near future for Manchester United. The Red Devils extreme interest in Schneiderlin has led to speculation that a bid for the player will be around £25 million.
Joining Southampton FC in 2008, Schneiderlin chose to join the Saints over South Coast rival — and at the time, Premier League club — Portsmouth. He endured a relegation too the English League One during his first season with the club.
Spending two seasons in the third tier of English football, the Frenchman became a key player for the Saints. Schneiderlin became one of the most gifted players on the South Coast which helped propel Southampton to consecutive promotions and back into the Premier League.
While Schneiderlin wanted to leave Southampton FC last summer, the French international agreed to remain with the Saints to help his longtime team. The move proved beneficial for both as Southampton FC scored their most Premier League points ever.
The season’s results proved to boost not only the club, but Schneiderlin’s value within the transfer market. But with Schneiderlin’s departure, what is next for Ronald Koeman’s squad.
The club seem ready to take the next step after qualifying for the Europa League this season. Expect the transfer fee to be reinvested in the club with Ronald Koeman having already targeted two key players he wants to add this summer.
The first player is current QPR forward Charlie Austin. An unknown coming into the season, Austin set the Premier League alight. Finishing fourth in the Premier League’s scoring table, Austin managed to find the net eighteen times in the Premier League this season.
With the injuries that affected Southampton FC’s attack last season in mind, Koeman is smart to bring in another forward. This move though, would make Charlie Austin the likely starter at forward for Ronald Koeman going into next season.
In fact, Graziano Pelle — who played in all of Southampton’s Premier League matches this season — is also rumored to be leaving St. Mary’s this summer making this move all the more important for the Saints.
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The next man is a former Ronald Koeman player. Jordy Clasie has been widely linked with a move to Southampton throughout the tail end of the season. The 23-year old midfielder played under Koeman before the Dutchman left for Southampton FC last summer.
Captain of Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord, Ronald Koeman is expecting Clasie to replace Schneiderlin in the midfield. Such a move should be no problem for Jordy who has the form and leadership to take over in the Saints midfield.
With a price tag around £12.7 million, Koeman would be able to sign his former player and Charlie Austin while still having funds remaining from Morgan Schneiderlin’s move to Old Trafford.
Once again, Southampton look likely to profit from their star players while continuing to build the squad. Should these moves come to fruition, Southampton FC may not only be better than last season, but they may find themselves closer to the top four finish the Saints supporters desperately crave.