JANNIK Vestergaard is yet to return to the Saints squad following extended holiday after Denmark reached the European Championship semi-final, with Ralph Hasenhuttl admitting “it wouldn’t be surprising if there were offers.”
The 28-year-old defender put in solid performances when the spotlight was on and impressed throughout the tournament, with only a year left on his deal sparking murmurs of transfer interest from elsewhere.
The centre-back played 30 times in the Premier League for Saints last season and would be an integral part of manager Hasenhuttl’s plans.
Unless the Dane signs a new deal, Saints would lose the man they paid a fee of £18million for back in July 2018 for nothing, next summer.
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He’s not the only one in that scenario, with the likes of Danny Ings’ long-term future also up in the air ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
However, Hasenhuttl has made the same defiant claim he did on striker Ings in regards to Vestergaard’s future, telling BBC Radio Solent: “The situation is that he is back on Monday.
“He has one year left on his contract, I plan with him next season, definitely. We need everybody here. He played a very good Euros.
“It wouldn’t be surprising if there were offers coming. But I plan with him next season.”
The Dane won’t be back in time for the Swansea fixture in Wales this weekend but Saints have two more pre-season matches against La Liga sides Levante (Wednesday August 4) and Athletic Bilbao (Saturday August 7).
With Saints kicking off their season on Saturday August 14 with a trip to Everton, if Vestergaard is to stay the Austrian boss will want him match fit and he could see his first minutes since returning from international duty.
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