Southampton: Saints register interest in centre-back as they reach final days of transfer window

Southampton have registered an interest in young Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile as the summer transfer window moves into its last week.

According to French outlet Soccerlink, the 18-year-old has been tracked by the likes of Wolves, Real Betis, Valencia and Atletico Madrid during this off-season but Saints have come in recently.

It is well-known that Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to add a defender to his squad before the transfer window closes next Thursday at 5pm UK time.

Whilst the Austrian may want a more experienced player that can come straight into produce competition, Badiashile is by no means a novice himself.

He has made 26 senior appearances for Monaco despite his tender age and has been capped up to Under-19 level by France.

However, it is understood that his current club value him highly and securing his signature could come at a premium.

Soccerlink’s report states that offers of around £27.3m have been mentioned for him because of his status as a real prospect for the future.

It may, therefore, be difficult for Saints to stump up that sort of cash at the moment.

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As recent report from the Daily Echo said that further incoming players to St Mary’s before next Thursday’s deadline are dependent on the club selling some fringe players.

The likes of Charlie Austin, Guido Carrillo and Mario Lemina have been heavily linked with moves away this summer and funds from the sale of these players could help out.

With the lack of another centre-back potentially an issue, Ralph Hasenhuttl has had to come up with some contingency plans in case he doesn’t get another defender in.

Wesley Hoedt is back amongst his squad and has played a decent part in pre-season, whilst young centre-back Christoph Klarer may well be pushed on into a first-team role too in the 2019/20 campaign.

Saints have done well recently in their recruitment of youth players and have looked particularly at young players of great potential who are two or three years away from senior football.

This could be a reason why Badiashile has been linked after the recent arrivals of coveted young players like Romello Mitchell from Birmingham City.