Player Profile: Southampton target Pontus Jansson

The latest media reports have once again linked with the Saints with Swedish centre-back Pontus Jansson, as they prepare for life without Virgil van Dijk.

With Southampton failing to truly replace Jose Fonte after his move to West Ham United in January, it’s widely accepted that Les Reed will bring in a centre-half this summer.

His job isn’t made any easier by the fact that it looks more-and-more likely that Claude Puel’s side could be without Virgil van Dijk next season, with Liverpool now credited alongside Manchester City and Chelsea with an interest in the Dutchman.

It now seems like the Saints are keen to replace the man with Leeds’ Pontus Jansson, despite the fact that the Championship side only announced his permanent signing two months ago.

The 26-year-old has been a firm figure in Leeds’ playoff push, with Gary Monk’s side having conceded the third-least goals in the league this season, despite sitting seventh.

But who is Pontus Jansson? Saints Marching takes a look:

The Swede began his professional career at one of his nation’s top teams – Malmo FF. After returning from a successful loan spell in 2010 he broke into the first team, making 18 league appearances and winning the title.

He went on to feature regularly over the following five seasons, scoring at least once every year and notching up several appearances in European competitions too.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

In total, Jansson appeared over 125 times for Malmo, winning the 2013 and 2014 Allsvenskan as well. In his final campaign however he fell out of the starting line-up and therefore left on a free transfer to join Italians Torino.

However after limited appearances over two seasons he joined Leeds on a year-long loan spell, where he has gone on to make 32 league appearances.

It means that he’ll join the Championship outfit on a permanent, 3-year deal this summer. But Premier League sides are reportedly willing to offer as much as double the £3.5 million Leeds are spending on him come July, making a move away very much on the cards.

Jansson has averaged 10.2 clearances a game in the league for Gary Monk’s team this season, whilst also notching up 1.8 tackles and 1.6 interceptions. It’s been enough for him to make the official Championship team of the season.

But the Swedish international – who has made 12 appearances for his country – is far from a one-trick pony, averaging over 30 passes per game off of a 85 percent success rate. He’s notched a single assist for his efforts.

In fact, his passing accuracy is the best of any Leeds player this season, only showing his ability to start attacks and bring the ball forward from the back.

With no top-flight experience it’s difficult to consider Jansson the perfect signing, but by stats alone it seems like he could be a really solid – if not relatively cheap – addition to Southampton’s back line.