Sabitzer is no fantasy signing. He's extremely versatile, able play on either wing (favours the right) and AM, and even drop a bit deep into a no 8 position. He's just entering his prime, captain of his side, can speak English, so it would likely be less of an adjustment period than NDombele. That's a great player to have as injury cover.
We may lose a bit of defensive solidity without Sissoko, but if we're playing against a weaker side or chasing a game Sabitzer makes much more sense. He has good g/a, and from what I've seen, is good at recycling possession thing Winks is supposed to be good at. He'd have been a better option than Lo Celso yesterday for instance.
PEH adjusted to our more defensive midset, and I think so can Sabitzer. He may not have the pace to cover Aurier like Sissoko but he's a much better header of the ball, and in set pieces/crosses (which we concede plenty), he'd be a much bigger factor.
Like PEH, he mostly keeps it simple, and is able to withstand a bit of press, rather than coughing up the ball like Son, Sissoko, Winks, tend to do.
Whoever we bring in has to be quality, whether defensively or offensively, I don't see a like for like player on the market we can bring in. For example, getting Longstaff as cover does us no good.
Sabitzer is the only one I'm aware of who's proven at a high level over several years, on the club's radar, has a short(ish) contract, and expressed an interest in joining.
Based on what?
Oh... because you've never actually seen him play.