Filip Kostic swapped Stuttgart for Hamburg last summer – but perhaps a move to the Premier League would have been better for his development.
A shining light in an otherwise toiling Stuttgart side last season, rapid winger Filip Kostic might have hoped a summer move to a Bundesliga rival would represent a major step forward in his development.
However, a year after the 2007 champions tumbled out of the German top flight, Kostic’s new employers, Hamburg, could be following in the same direction.
As it stands, ‘the dinosaur’, the only club to feature in every Bundesliga season since its 1963 inception, are languishing in the relegation play-off place. And their marquee summer signing has failed to make anything like the impact expected.
Therefore, although Southampton have hardly set the Premier League alight with exhilarating attacking displays this season, they may be a little relieved that their reported £12 million bid came to nothing, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Furthermore, Tottenham Hotspur, who Sky Sports claim have tracked Kostic from as far back as his teenage years with local Serbian outfit Radnicki 123, will not be enduring too many sleepless nights.
Kostly Decision
Based on his whirlwind performances on the Stuttgart wing last season, Kostic appeared an ideal addition for sides renowned for their ability to transition rapidly between defence and attack.
Kostic produced five goals and five assists apiece last season but, since moving to Hamburg, those statistics have dropped to just two and three. Furthermore, his influence has waned with the one-time European giants.
Whereas almost every Stuttgart attack stemmed from his explosive acceleration and wicked deliveries, Hamburg have yet to truly witness such feats of individual brilliance.
Furthermore, the excellent performances of Nathan Redmond since swapping Norwich for Southampton mean few at St Mary’s are clamouring for a winger. And, at White Hart Lane, the emergence of Heung Min-Son as one of the Premier League’s most efficient attackers could hardly be better timed.
It seems Kostic has wasted any hopes he may have harboured of earning a move to the Premier League for the time being.
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