As Sadio Mane completes his move to Liverpool, Southampton fans are certainly frustrated at what looks to be another summer of selling key players.
With manager Ronald Koeman already departing for a new challenge at Everton and powerful midfielder Victor Wanyama sealing a move away to Tottenham Hotspur to join forces with old Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino once more, it’s looking as though replacements are going to be needed once more to strengthen Saints’ squad.
However, after the addition of England under-21 winger Nathan Redmond from Norwich and the increasingly likely arrival of French manager Claude Puel, the future may still be bright in red and white.
Whilst the new man at the helm of the club will have different ideas in mind as to what he wants to do with this current Southampton squad and which new players he has in mind to bring in this summer, it’s looking as though Saints will certainly need another forward player to fill the void left by the inevitable departure of Sadio Mane.
So, without further ado, here are ten potential replacements for Sadio Mane that could prove to be good signings for Saints in what could be one of their most important summers to date.
Filip Kostic
The Stuttgart winger, also Serbian, is very similar to Dusan Tadic. However, the wide man has a bit more of a direct approach to the game, with tenacity and a bit more of a cutting edge.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The Ox could be available this summer and can play in any of the three attacking positions behind the striker. Could a move back home be on the cards?
Andros Townsend
Although Townsend may not be the most glamorous of replacements, he’s a winger with an eye for goal and pace to burn that wouldn’t cost all that much.
Davy Klaasen
Klaasen has been excellent from the attacking midfield role at Ajax and could provide an excellent goalscoring threat behind the forward at a reasonable fee, too.
Hakim Ziyech
Ziyech was in inspired form for Twente last season and looks ready to make the switch to the Premier League. Is he the number ten that Saints have been crying out for?
Ivan Perisic
Perisic would be one of the coups of the summer if Saints could pull it off after such an incredible campaign at Euro 2016 with Croatia.
With plenty of money from Mane’s departure, it would certainly be an exciting signing.
Marko Arnautovic
With the Austrian looking all but set to leave Stoke this summer, Southampton could look to swoop for the powerful attacker.
Quincy Promes
Promes has caught the eye of many for Spartak Moscow in recent times and with a bundle of pace, a goalscoring threat and age on his side; he could be a perfect Sadio Mane replacement.
Kamil Grosicki
Grosicki has been outstanding for Poland at Euro 2016 and has had an excellent season in Ligue 1. He’d be a great, under the radar signing.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Sigurdsson has been absolutely superb from Iceland at Euro 2016 and is always key for Swansea; he could hold the key to goals from midfield – something that Saints have craved for a while, now.