Report reveals player on Southampton’s list as they look for centre-back

Southampton reportedly have Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall on their shortlist as they look for a new centre-back signing.

According to Hampshire Live, 24-year-old Worrall is one of the names that the club have listed with reinforcements needed in their backline.

He is one of a number of names linked with Saints in the recent past. Former England international Gary Cahill was said to be a target, whilst Liverpool’s Nat Phillips has also been mentioned.

Worrall has shown some good consistency in recent seasons for Forest and his age sees him still a few years away from the peak of his career, which is perfect for Saints and their aim to develop talent.

Worrall could be a good addition for Southampton

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During the 2020/21 campaign, Worrall captained Notts Forest on a number of occasions and is clearly seen as a figure capable of leading their team well in games.

He has three past caps for England Under-21s and 137 appearances for Forest under his belt, meaning he has had a solid grounding at the club where he progressed from the youth ranks to the senior setup six years ago.

Interestingly, there are also other Premier League teams looking to bring Worrall in before the transfer window slams shut at the end of this month.

The Athletic report Burnley’s interest whilst also mentioning West Ham and Crystal Palace as potential destinations. It will be intriguing to see which team makes the first move in this situation after Worrall was left out of Notts Forest’s first three matchday squads.

It has been mentioned before that Saints want a defender who is also capable of playing in midfield to provide sufficient cover in both areas. Worrall has been a centre-back in his senior career and may be wanting a move that will guarantee him significant first-team football.