Southampton: Saints linked with Red Bull Salzburg Man

BELGRADE, SERBIA - AUGUST 21: Marin Pongracic of Red Bull Salzburg reacts during the UEFA Champions League Play Off First Leg match between FK Crvema Zvezda and FC Red Bull Salzburg at Rajko Mitic Stadium on August 21, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - AUGUST 21: Marin Pongracic of Red Bull Salzburg reacts during the UEFA Champions League Play Off First Leg match between FK Crvema Zvezda and FC Red Bull Salzburg at Rajko Mitic Stadium on August 21, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

It should come as no surprise that Southampton are linked with another centre-back and this time its Salzburg man Marin Pongracic.

Salzburg, has been absolutely dominating the Austrian league this season and it is the least bit shocking that nearly every first team member is being looked at by bigger clubs.

The 22-year-old defender has made several appearances for the club this season including a substitute appearance against Napoli in the Champions League.

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 05: Marin Pongracic of RB Salzburg during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and RB Salzburg at Stadio San Paolo on November 05, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 05: Marin Pongracic of RB Salzburg during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and RB Salzburg at Stadio San Paolo on November 05, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Hasenhuttl, has been keen to improve the backline and Pongracic could be a cheap viable option to do so. He is a tall defender who possess some pace about him and is strong in the air. He has the build to play the physical style that is the Premier League and with some time he could turn into a very solid defender in the back for the club.

The fee for the youngster would likely only be a few million pounds and with a possibly tight budget come this January he would be within the Saints price range.

Defense has been an issue for the club sometime now and instead of buying well established defenders worth some money the club keeps seeming to want to gamble on the unknown. They have missed on their last few attempts but I hope for everybody’s sake that one pays off soon and the club does not find itself in the Championship next season.

January is two weeks away now and it will be time for the board to start making their decisions on what they are going to do during the window.