Filip Djuricic could be offered a return to Southampton but Premier League rivals West Ham United are also chasing the Serie A midfielder, as reported by Calciomercato.
At a time when the likes of Sadio Mane, Toby Alderweireld, Graziano Pelle and Virgil van Dijk were rocking up at St Mary’s, a deal that saw Djuricic arrive on loan from Benfica midway through the 2014/15 season went under the radar.
Hailed by then-Saints coach Ronald Koeman for his technical ability and speed in possession, the Serbia international started just three Premier League games in red and white before returning to Portugal, out of sight and largely out of mind.
Six years on, Djuricic is a different, better, more mature footballer.
But should Southampton win the race for his signature – Inter Milan, Napoli and a Shakhtar Donetsk side coached by former Sassuolo tactician Roberto De Zerbi have also been linked – the 29-year-old would return to the South Coast with a point to prove to supporters.
Can Filip Djuricic make up for lost time at Southampton?
Djuricic, as things stand, will become a free agent in summer 2022.
And, according to Calciomercato, there’s no agreement in place to extend his stay at the Mapei Stadium.
It isn’t yet certain whether Sassuolo would be willing to cash in on Djuricic in the January window or keep hold of their fleet-footed playmaker until the end of the season.
The report does suggest West Ham, rather than Southampton, are currently leading the chase for Djuricic’s signature.
That may come as a surprise given West Ham aren’t exactly short of technically gifted attacking midfielders.
Manuel Lanzini and £25 million summer signing Nikola Vlasic have started just one Premier League game between them this season, although the former has indicated he would jump at the chance to return to his native Argentina and River Plate.
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