Ajax manager confirms interest in Dusan Tadic

Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club are indeed interested in securing the signature of Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic. The Serbia international has been an influential player for the Saints over the years but he is now understood to be eyeing a return to the Eredivisie where he enjoyed fruitful spells with FC Twente and Groningen.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Ten Hag admitted that Tadic is one among the prime targets for Ajax but they are unlikely to make any announcement regarding the players until they reach a financial agreement with the Saints, he said: “It is no secret that we are interested (in signing Tadic). But I also learned that we must have signatures first before it is final. He clearly showed (against Switzerland) why he is a more than a suitable player for us. He can take Ajax by the hand. Ajax reports via the official channels when everything is complete. But as long as the signature is not set, it will not happen.”

Tadic is currently contracted to the Saints until the summer of 2020 but the south coast outfit are prepared to cash in on his signature, should they receive a fee of around £18m. Nonetheless, any agreement may only be finished following the World Cup where the midfielder is currently featuring for Serbia.

The Serbians recently suffered a disappointment after witnessing a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Switzerland but they still have their fate in their own hands, should they beat Brazil in the final match of their group. The ongoing World Cup has witnessed many of the big nations securing close victories during the final minutes of games but Serbia will be hoping to restrict the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Neymar to secure a victory which would see them progress into the round of 16.