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Southampton: Five centre-backs the Saints could replace VVD with

By Chris Hughes

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates victory after the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates victory after the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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KRAKOW, POLAND – JUNE 30: Max Meyer of Germany (L) celebrates Germany’s opening goal with Niklas Stark of Germany during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final between Germany and Spain at Krakow Stadium on June 30, 2017 in Krakow, Poland. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
KRAKOW, POLAND – JUNE 30: Max Meyer of Germany (L) celebrates Germany’s opening goal with Niklas Stark of Germany during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final between Germany and Spain at Krakow Stadium on June 30, 2017 in Krakow, Poland. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) /

Niklas Stark

The first option on this list is definitely the one who would command the largest fee, with a base value of just over £12 million according to Transfermarkt – that’s the highest it’s ever been.

Plying his trade with Hetha Berlin in his native Germany, Stark is a ball-playing centre-half who also has the ability to play in defensive midfield.

Annoyingly, the 22-year-old is tied down under contract for another four and a half years, meaning the Saints could have an added premium onto any bid they would hypothetically make.

Playing at the heart of the defence, the right-footed centre-back has helped Berlin to a steady 11th place, conceding a respectable 27 goals from 19 games. Whilst a move to a 17th-place Southampton might seem appealing, Stark could be eyeing up a World Cup spot and an impressive season with the Saints could do well for his cause.