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Southampton: The Marlon deal collapsing remains a mystery

By Chris Hughes

SOLNA, SWEDEN - AUGUST 03: Marlon Santos of FC Barcelona shoots during the International Champions Cup match between Leicester City FC and FC Barcelona at Friends arena on August 3, 2016 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
SOLNA, SWEDEN - AUGUST 03: Marlon Santos of FC Barcelona shoots during the International Champions Cup match between Leicester City FC and FC Barcelona at Friends arena on August 3, 2016 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) /
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Earlier this week news broke in Spain that as a result of Southampton’s signing of Jannik Vestergaard, the deal for Brazilian Marlon Santos had collapsed.

The Saints had been strongly linked with the Barcelona centre-back for a solid three weeks, with the club having apparently lodged a £10 million bid for the 22-year-old shortly after the announcement of Mohamed Elyounoussi’s arrival.

However the trail has gone cold over the past week or so, something which has correlated with the Saints’ announcement of Danish defender Vestergaard.

Whilst it seems natural to suggest that Southampton would pull the plug on signing one defender having brought in another, the Dane and Marlon Santos are two very different types of centre-half.

The Saints’ new arrival stands at a towering six-foot-six whereas the latter stands at barely six-feet tall, meaning he would be more suited to partnering a more physical defender like Vestergaard as opposed to joining instead of him.

Next: Saints loosely linked with Filip Kostic

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – JUNE 27: Jannik Vestergaard (R) of Denmark battles for the ball with Filip Holander (L) of Sweden during UEFA U21 European Championship semi final match between Denmark and Sweden at Generali Arena on June 27, 2015 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – JUNE 27: Jannik Vestergaard (R) of Denmark battles for the ball with Filip Holander (L) of Sweden during UEFA U21 European Championship semi final match between Denmark and Sweden at Generali Arena on June 27, 2015 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) /

The Saints were desperately in need of the type of centre-back that Vestergaard offered, as he will bring physicality and aerial presence to the Southampton back-line. Santos meanwhile seemed very similar to what the Mark Hughes already had at his disposal with the likes Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens.

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However with the Saints looking set play three-at-the-back this upcoming season, they will need some serious depth in defence – more than they had this past campaign.

Granted, with Matt Targett potentially set to play a bigger role this season, Ryan Bertrand could slot in as the side’s left-centre-back, as he has done previously when Ronald Koeman was in charge.

Therefore a move for Santos may not of been that smart in the first place – his arrival may of forced a centre-back to leave – I even suggested Wesley Hoedt could’ve been that man last week.

Even so, the whole deal falling apart because of Vestergaard’s arrival seems a bit off, as they would’ve been signed for totally different purposes – it’ll be interesting to see where the Brazilian moves now, and if he does, what kind of price is discussed.

With Sky jumping on the deal it seemed more legitimate than just a agent’s ploy to get their client a better contract or a pricier move, but the way the deal collapsed without much coverage too it seems a bit bizarre.

Let’s just hope the Saints are still hunting for more creative talent, as they need another striker and potentially a new winger before the new season starts.