LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Adnan Januzaj of Real Sociedad looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly between Millwall and Real Sociedad at The Den on July 27, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
According to HLN (h/t Metro), Southampton are very interested in bringing in Adnan Januzaj ahead of the January transfer window. Brighton are the other Premier League club in the mix to sign him. The report also claims that Real Sociedad may not be willing to part with him and could extend his contract instead.
The 25-year-old, who has 12 caps for Belgium at the senior level, rose through the youth ranks at Anderlecht and Man United before making his first-team debut for the Red Devils in the 2013-14 season under David Moyes.
Regarded as a talented youngster with a lot of potential, Januzaj was an instant hit in his debut season at Old Trafford but he failed to nail down a regular role in the subsequent campaigns.
The Belgian’s limited opportunities at United saw him spend time on loan at Sunderland at Borussia Dortmund before he finally joined Real Sociedad in a permanent deal in 2017. Despite his time in the La Liga being blighted due to injuries, Janujaz has accumulated 16 goals and 14 assists in 96 appearances (source – Transfermarkt) for Sociedad in all competitions.
While Premier League fans may have only seen glimpses of Januzaj’s potential, the fact remains that he is a genuinely talented player and has somewhat steadied his career at Real Sociedad. We need to remember he is still just 25 and can still reach the heights he once showed he can.
Southampton have played some fantastic tactical football this season under Ralph Hasenhuttl. They have collected 5 wins from 8 and are sitting at a rather unexpected 4th place, just 2 points off the league leaders.
While they have surely done well with the limited squad they have at their disposal, a few reinforcements in the winter window could go a long way towards easing their end-of-season struggles. A particular area they can strengthen are the wings. With only Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Theo Walcott as out-and-out wingers, the club look like they can bring in another man.
That man could well be Adnan Januzaj. A much more mature player than what he was in the Premier League back then, he can provide some good quality down the wide areas. His young age means that he can be a good long-term investment.
With Brighton also interested in the former Manchester United man, Southampton should try to complete a deal as soon as possible.
