An error-ridden start to the season for Southampton captain Jack Stephens has led technical director Johannes Spors to make a big move in the transfer window.
Amid bids from Aston Villa for star player Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the club has held firm, and Unai Emery’s side has ended up walking away from an immediate deal.
It’s been clear to Saints fans as the window has gone on that keeping Harwood-Bellis is not the only defensive position in need of work.
Another defender, after skipper Jack Stephens’ mistakes against Watford and West Ham United, has been added to the wishlist - and Southampton have their man.
Saints set to sign Keven Schlotterbeck
Southampton are set to sign Bundesliga side FC Augsburg’s captain Keven Schlotterbeck for a fee worth €3.85m plus €650k in bonuses, with the defender set to arrive in England today, according to the Augsburger Allgemeine.
Daily Echo journalist Alfie House has confirmed this news, reporting that the permanent deal is not a Taylor Harwood-Bellis replacement, and instead young defender Josh Quarshie will depart Southampton on loan.
The 29-year-old captained Augsburg and has scored 10 goals in 152 Bundesliga appearances, so is clearly a seasoned professional. He has also represented his national side, Germany, at the Olympics, adding to the experience in Southampton’s ranks.
It comes at a timely moment, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis’s future unclear, Josh Quarshie exiting on loan, and Jack Stephens coming up with frequent errors.
An astute signing
Tonda Eckert has made a bold call, and it appears Jack Stephens could lose his place on the left side of defence, with Keven Schlotterbeck set to sign for the club.
The 29-year-old has a year left on his deal at Augsburg, leading the Saints to pounce and get the centre-half at a cut price.
With it becoming evidently clear that some of their biggest issues are in defence, Johannes Spors has made sure Southampton are going out and getting a great player.
Now the focus in the backline will be on keeping Taylor Harwood-Bellis for Southampton. The 24-year-old is one of their most important players, and a late exit would mean another centre-back signing would become essential for Eckert’s team.
With a week left of the transfer window, things are looking up despite a 4-1 loss in the cup against West Ham United for the Saints. With Schlotterbeck arriving in England to put pen to paper for Southampton, it’s clear Chairman Dragan Solak means business and wants to see the club he’s put so much investment into reach the Premier League this campaign.
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