According to reports in The Sun on Tuesday, Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic is said to be unhappy with manager Claude Puel having been substituted off in the club’s last five matches in all competitions.

The interview in the story claims that the Serbian has said that when he has been taken off, the side has suffered as a result.

They are comments that surely won’t go down well with Puel or the club’s hierarchy, and the 28-year-old could find himself in trouble when he returns to St Mary’s following international duty with his country.

Saints signed the attacking midfielder from Twente in 2014 and he has gone on to become one of the south coast outfit's most creative players in the 88 Premier League appearances he has made, picking up 23 assists and scoring 14 goals in that time.

However, his latest outburst may have put his future into doubt, and Puel could already be looking at players that could fit into the central attacking midfield position that the Serbian currently finds himself in.

Here are THREE stars Southampton could choose to replace Tadic with this summer…

Gylfi Sigurdsson

After scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists for a struggling Swansea City in the Premier League this season, Sigurdsson is likely to be a target for a number of clubs this summer.

Reports on Monday claimed that the attacking midfielder would cost the likes of Everton £35m, but of course that fee could depend on which division the Swans find themselves in next term.

That price tag would be a problem for Saints as it would more than double their current transfer record, but Claude Puel would know that he is getting a guaranteed performer at this level for his money, and someone potentially even more creative than Tadic.

Tom Cairney

The 26-year-old Fulham midfielder has established himself as one of the best players in the Championship this season following some standout performances for the Cottagers.

With nine goals and 10 assists to his name in 37 league appearances, the Scotland international is likely to interest Premier League teams this summer whether the London outfit are promoted to the top flight or not.

His eye for goal from outside the penalty area could especially appeal to Puel, who has often seen his side struggle when it comes to long-range shooting.

Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan attacking midfielder only moved to Ajax on a five-year deal from Tadic’s former club FC Twente last summer, but he is likely to be attracting more interest at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old has scored six goals and provided 10 assists in 22 Eredivisie appearances for the Dutch giants this term, and he has also made an impressive 80 key passes to show how creative he can be.

Those are stats that certainly won’t have gone unnoticed at St Mary’s and other Premier League clubs.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.