Southampton: Saints want intriguing swap deal with Club Brugge

Southampton are reportedly interested in a swap deal with Club Brugge that would see Wesley Hoedt depart St Mary’s but striker Emmanuel Dennis arrive.

According to Voetbalkrant.com, Saints are pushing Hoedt towards Bruges as they see a real opportunity to get a bright talent in Dennis through the door for a significantly reduced fee.

Previous reports had claimed that Dennis is valued at around £18m-£25m, whilst Saints are understood to want £8m for Hoedt if they can sell him permanently this summer.

This would potentially knock Club Brugge’s demands for Dennis down to £17m and below but they will be keen to get as much money as possible for one of their biggest assets.

105 appearances his current club have so far yielded 28 goals and 11 assists in all and he has played in multiple positions across the frontline since first appearing back in 2017/18.

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Hoedt looks most likely to move away on loan once again this season with four interested clubs – Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Antwerp and Gent – unable to pay the £8m to sign him in the current climate.

Given that Saints would have to shell out a significant fee to bring Dennis in and the club actively looking to sign a midfielder instead, this swap deal is perhaps unlikely to happen.

Four options to fill two striking options in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s current setup means that there would almost be too much competition if Dennis was to join too. Danny Ings and Che Adams looks set to be first-choice this season with Michael Obafemi and Shane Long ready to step in when needed.

Obafemi has been linked with a move away but it seems that departures from the main squad will be unlikely.

Wesley Hoedt moving on loan to Club Brugge is likely to happen on its own though given that there is said to be a an option to buy the Dutchman next year included in the potential deal.

The player has a good knowledge of the Belgian Jupiler League after spending the 2019/20 campaign with Royal Antwerp and Voetbalkrant’s report claims that Hoedt has already contacted some of his potential teammates about what he can expect when he arrives.