Quality quintet of midfielders for Southampton to sign

Southampton, 3/1 for a top four finish with Coral, are experiencing somewhat of a player shortage in midfield currently, which includes Morgan Schneiderlin, James Ward-Prowse and Jack Cork all on the injury list.

We have, therefore, compiled five potential players that manager Ronald Koeman could sign in January.

Jordie Clasie
Having snapped up striker Graziano Pelle from Feyenoord in the summer, Koeman is said to be keen on a move for 22-year-old compatriot Clasie, who has been described as the “Dutch Xavi”. If this is true, Saints fans have a right to be excited.

Clasie is a complete midfielder with incredible vision and a wide range of passing, who can tackle and anticipate the pattern of play. Pairing him up with Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama in a midfield three could help sustain the Saints in their top four challenge this term.

Leon Goretzka
At 19, and although currently injured, he is one for the future, and part of the next crop of players set to roll off the German production line. Compared to compatriot Sami Khedira, Goretzka has the ability to protect the rearguard and break up play, as well as bursting forward and driving from midfield, which explains his four Bundesliga goals last season for Schalke.

Benat Etxebarria
Currently plying his trade for Athletic Bilbao, the 27-year-old Spaniard would fit the bill at Southampton, able to create from deep, intercept play, and make a tackle.

Handily, Benat is also useful from set pieces, which takes the pressure off Dusan Tadic. Although he signed for Bilbao at the start of last season, committing to a five-year contract, he could be attracted to an ambitious club like Saints and the Premier League.

Juan Fernando Quintero
This guy has some ability. Part of a very talented line-up in the Colombia national team, which includes James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado, to say he is the lesser of the three sells him short significantly.

There is no doubt that Quintero would add spark to the Saints, and could form a lethal partnership with Tadic. If, they can prise him away from Porto, who are unbeaten in their domestic league and the Champions League this term.