Transfer Story
Liverpool are in talks to sign another Southampton player. Yes, another one. This time, though, it is their playmaker Dusan Tadic. The Serbian is said to be frustrated with the current manager Claude Puel.
Despite being embarrassed by the Van Dijk saga, it has not stopped them from going for one more of the South Coast club’s stars.
Jurgen Klopp has expressed interest in signing Dusan Tadic from Southampton as they seek reinforcements for Jurgen Klopp’s first Champions League campaign as manager at Anfield. Liverpool have used Saints as a feeder club in the last few summers – having signed Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, Nathaniel Clyne and recently, Sadio Mane, who proved to be the signing of the season from the south coast.
The Times suggest the Serbia international would be open to joining up with Jurgen Klopp’s side in Merseyside in the transfer window.
Player stats
Tadic played 45 times for Claude Puel’s side last season, including starring in the Capital One Cup. But was frustrated by the high proportion of times he was subbed off.
He has set up 38 goals since moving from Twente in 2014 for £10.9m, three years ago.
The playmaker started 30 of the Saints’ league games last season, contributing to eight goals, scoring three and assisting five.(via whoscored)
What he offers
With increased fixtures owing to their qualification into the Champions League, Tadic would be called upon to shoulder the burden in attack. He can play across the front line, so there is no issue in Liverpool having to adjust to a player.
The converse also applies, as Tadic likes cutting in and having a go at goal. He is in the mould of Juan Mata. He loves a through ball and likes to link with fellow attackers by combining for short passes around the box. The playmaker will link well with Phillippe Coutinho.
Tadic is not new to the pressing game, as he was recruited by Ronald Koeman in 2014, and established himself under him until the Dutchman left for Everton last summer.
At what Price?
Tadic has a release clause of £13m ($16.5m) in his contract at St Mary’s Stadium, the Mirror states. It definitely won’t be as hard to land Tadic as was with Van Dijk as 13m is relatively cheap for a club like Liverpool.
This move should go through as the player has had a rift with the manager.
“I am not the one who decides the future but I want to be shown more respect because of the statistics,” Tadic told the Sun.
“Everyone is always asking me whether I’m injured after I get taken off. We spoke before about that and I told him a few times that but he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t show enough respect for me.” This was what Tadic had to say in March.
