Southampton: Saints linked with move for free agent defender

Southampton are reportedly one of the three clubs interesting in signing free agent defender Jozo Simunovic.

That is according to Goal, who are also confirm that Bundesliga sides FC Augsburg and VFB Stuttgart are also vying for his signature.

Simunovic has been a free agent since leaving Celtic in July 2020 and will be attempting to impress any potential suitors in order to earn a contract.

In terms of Saints’ reported interest, it would be strange to see anything concrete materialise.

Southampton would be aware of Simunovic’s past injury

Simunovic has only played as a centre-back during his career that has seen him make 201 senior appearances across spells for Celtic and his first club Dinamo Zagreb.

Saints currently have Jannik Vestergaard, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Mohammed Salisu as options for their two centre-back roles and Simunovic would not add much to that.

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

It also appears that a significant knee injury played a part in Celtic not renewing his contract at Parkhead. He had surgery to repair his knee joint in September 2019 and returned to action in January 2020, but played just six of 13 games remaining in the 2019/20 campaign.

Whilst Simunovic progressed up to Under-21 level for Croatia, he has not made an appearance for his country at senior level just yet. He will be desperately trying to prove his fitness to clubs, although perhaps Augsburg and Stuttgart may provide more realistic options for him at this moment in time.

Agents involved with the player will also be trying to drum up interest by actively engaging with clubs and getting his name out into media outlets.

Saints attempted to sign a defender in January but targeted someone who could play a variety of positions rather than just one.

Brandon Williams, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Japhet Tanganga and Nico Williams were all reportedly pursued as Ralph Hasenhuttl wanted cover for full-backs Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker-Peters.

None of these moves came off and Saints eventually signed attacking-midfielder Takumi Minamino from Liverpool on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Given that centre-back is an area of the team that has good options at the moment and more realistic targets will surely be targeted in the summer, Simunovic is unlikely to be arriving at St Mary’s any time soon.