Southampton: Saints receive huge striker offer, could let defender leave

Southampton have not been very active in this January transfer window and Ralph Hasenhuttl seems happy with the squad at his disposal.

This doesn’t rule out any late incomings – and there have been plenty of links between the club and players this month – but players being linked with moves away from Saints has been more common in recent days.

The main saga involving the club in this window has been Leeds United’s pursuit of Che Adams.

In the latest update on this situation, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that the Championship high-flyers made a loan offer to Saints but also pledged to sign Adams permanently in the summer for £20m if they are promoted to the Premier League.

This proposal has been turned down, with the Southern Daily Echo’s Dan Sheldon revealing that repeated offers from Leeds has caused “bemusement” at St Mary’s given that they don’t want to sell the striker.

Clearly Leeds feel that they could give Adams a fresh start again, with his time at Saints not going to plan so far.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

However, it would be foolish for him to be let go this month given that the pool of strikers that Ralph Hasenhuttl has access to is limited already and that Adams could well prove a success in the future.

In other news, the Sun is reporting that Leicester City want to sign Jannik Vestergaard this January and are willing to pay £15m for the centre-back.

The article states that Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers feels he is a defender light as they bid to secure their place in the top four this season.

News of this offer is also backed up by the Echo’s Dan Sheldon, who says that an offer has been received by Saints but they are holding out for a fee in the region of £18m – the amount that they paid to sign Vestergaard from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2018.

Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek have been preferred to the Danish international this campaign, but Saints will have to be sure once again that their squad depth allows for a departure.

Vestergaard has made just 13 starts this season and has been in and out of the team since his arrival at the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign.