Southampton: Saints sale of defender hints at new defensive signing

Southampton announced on Friday morning that young defender Alfie Jones had been sold to League One side Hull City ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Reports from Hull Live yesterday implied that a deal was close and the transfer of the 22-year-old was confirmed earlier today.

Jones impressed hugely on a season-long loan deal with Gillingham in 2019/20 and became an important part of the Gills’ team as they secured a mid-table finish. For that reason, it was reasonable to suggest that he could have come back to Saints to provide some defensive cover.

However, the decision has been made to move him on permanently and Ralph Hasenhuttl has just four senior centre-backs to choose from during the upcoming campaign.

Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Jack Stephens and Jannik Vestergaard look set to battle it out for the two roles at the heart of defence this year – four players is the ideal number for Hasenhuttl given that he wants a tight squad.

If any injuries come about though, Saints could be in trouble.

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Other than Jones, there did not look to be many young centre-backs on the fringes of the squad ready to step in when they were needed. Jones also played much of his football in 2019/20 as a midfielder for Gillingham.

It could be risky for Saints to work without some backup in this position, although management of the first-team group was close to perfect last season when it came to keeping key players fit.

A move for an additional defender in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Martin Hinteregger has been rumoured but the potential fee of £20m and above could put Saints off considering the defenders they already have.

Jannik Vestergaard has been close to moving away permanently in the past and it remains to be seen whether he will be at St Mary’s when the transfer window closes.

What could have solved this conundrum was Saints pulling off the signing of Weston McKennie from Schalke because of his ability to play in midfield and defence if needed. However, the American chose to join Juventus on an loan deal with a view to a signing permanently next summer.

Bringing in a midfielder is the priority for the club as they move towards their first Premier League game of the new season and there is the possibility of loan deals too if a new defender is also required.