Transfer news: Saphir Taïder in at Southampton with Dani Osvaldo moving out

Algeria midfielder arrives from Internazionale on a season-long loan

Andrew Tong
Wednesday 06 August 2014 18:28 EDT
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The Algerian Saphir Taïder will bolster Southampton’s squad
The Algerian Saphir Taïder will bolster Southampton’s squad (Getty Images)

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After seeing swathes of Southampton’s successful team of the last campaign heading for the exit at St Mary’s, new manager Ronald Koeman is starting to make his presence felt. Today the club announced the signing of the exciting Algeria midfielder Saphir Taïder from Internazionale on a season-long loan.

However, the deal means that another player is on the way out, albeit not permanently. The unsettled striker Dani Osvaldo moves in the opposite direction on the same basis, meaning that Southampton are still in dire need of extra resources.

The 22-year-old Taïder, who played in two matches at the World Cup, arrived at San Siro a year ago after spending two seasons at another Serie A club, Bologna.

“It’s part of our philosophy to bring in talented young players who like to learn and develop themselves and that’s true of Saphir,” said Koeman. “He can play as a controlled midfielder, but he can also move up around the box and up front.

“That’s a good thing for a coach or manager because it brings more possibilities to the players in the team. He brings competition to the squad. He can still learn some things, so we will train him and develop him this season.”

Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Ryan Bertrand have already been recruited following the departures of Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers and Dejan Lovren.

The south-coast club had been looking to offload their record signing Osvaldo. The Italian striker cost Southampton £15m a year ago, but was sent out on loan to Juventus in January following a three-match ban for violent conduct at Newcastle and a training-ground altercation with the defender Jose Fonte. The former Roma player then failed to turn up for pre-season training.

After raiding the ranks at Southampton, Liverpool announced another high-profile move today with the capture on loan of the Spanish defender Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid on a two-year deal. The 20-year-old right-back has been with La Liga champions Atletico since 2007 and has represented his country at youth levels.

Manquillo, who was also part of the youth set-up at Real Madrid, is the seventh signing Liverpool have made this summer, following the arrival of the three Saints, Lambert, Lallana and Lovren, along with Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Divock Origi.

The Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina finalised his move away from Anfield to the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Juventus defender Mauricio Isla has agreed to a season-long loan at Queen’s Park Rangers, and is awaiting confirmation of his work permit from the Football Association.

The 26-year-old Chilean, who has won 47 caps for his country and played in the World Cup, is QPR manager Harry Redknapp’s fourth acquisition as his side seek to consolidate after their promotion to the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest moved to placate manager Stuart Pearce after the sale of Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles to Newcastle earlier this week by breaking their transfer record to bring in striker Britt Assombalonga from Peterborough for £5m. The 21-year-old scored 33 goals for the League One side last season. Forest also spent £1.5m on winger Michail Antonio from Sheffield Wednesday.

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