Southampton: Saints chasing two promising defenders this transfer window

Southampton are reportedly interested in signing promising defensive duo Jeremie Frimpong and Brandon Taylor.

Playing for Celtic and Sunderland respectively, they could potentially be part of the ongoing squad revamp that Ralph Hasenhuttl is undertaking.

Interest in Frimpong has been reported by the Athletic, with reporter David Ornstein stating that Saints are one of several Premier League clubs to have sent scouts to watch him play for Celtic in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old has impressed in Scotland since joining the Hoops from Manchester City at the beginning of this season, with his transfer fee reportedly around the £350,000 mark and potentially rising to £1m (via the Athletic’s report).

Frimpong is a Netherlands youth international and has made 16 appearances for Celtic to date whilst playing mainly as a right-back.

Notably, he can also play as a left-back too so could be a real talent in the future if he continues to develop his game at the same rate.

Saints still need to sort their full-back positions, and this may be done fully in the summer. Spurs right-back Kyle Walker-Peters is reportedly set to be announced as the club’s first signing of the current window tomorrow though.

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Whether interest in Frimpong will lead to a bid in the summer remains to be seen, but it could be that the youngster is a longer term target.

Signings from Celtic have proved very successful for Saints in the past, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama, Jos Hooiveld and Stuart Armstrong proving excellent buys.

Unlike Frimpong, Brandon Taylor has had only a small glimpse of senior football with Sunderland so far.

Saints’ interest in him – a 20-year-old centre-back – has been reported by TEAMtalk (via the Sunderland Echo).

The report also states that Leicester, Everton and Bournemouth are looking at Taylor, who has made three senior cup appearances for the Black Cats.

Again, whether this interest will result in an offer is unclear and Ralph Hasenhuttl may well want someone with more experience within his central-defensive options.