Saints Marching
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Three Ligue 1 centre-backs Southampton should sign

By Chris Hughes

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on January 14, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on January 14, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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MONACO, MONACO – MARCH 15: Jesus Nascimento Jemerson of Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco (ASM) and Manchester City FC at Stade Louis II on March 15, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
MONACO, MONACO – MARCH 15: Jesus Nascimento Jemerson of Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco (ASM) and Manchester City FC at Stade Louis II on March 15, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

Jemerson

AS Monaco’s Brazillian centre-back is another player that could be realistically signed by the Saints. Alongside Kamil Glik the 24-year-old has formed a solid defensive partnership, as his side have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and look set for a Ligue 1 title.

But the temptation of playing in England’s elite league could be enough to tempt the man away, who has just over three years left on his contract.

In Ligue 1 this season Jemerson has collectively averaged just under four tackles and interceptions per game, whilst also showing his fitness having already made well in-excess of 40 appearances for the season.

Jemerson’s European experience could prove vital as the Saints look to once again push for a Europa League spot, with their weakness this time around being the lack of know-how in the competitions’s group stage.

Much like the other suggestions in the slideshow Jemerson has a stellar passing accuracy for the season too, and even in the Champions League – where his side have faced Dortmund and Manchester City – he has over an 80 percent success rate.