MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl has responded to transfer speculation regarding Jannik Vestergaard’s replacement to ease concerns, insisting: “We do have a list. We will do something, that is clear.”
With the tall centre-back’s impending transfer to Leicester City in a £15m deal, Saints will be one light of a defender but as many supporters have pointed out could still do with a defensive midfield option too.
The ideal scenario would be to kill two birds with one stone and bring in a man who can cover both, with Mohammed Salisu tipped to be a straight replacement for the Dane in the starting XI.
One man who has previously been reported by unverified sources as a link was Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Delaney – not highlighted because there’s any solid information on that being a possibility but rather as an illustration of a player who can play both centre-back and defensive midfield to a top, top level.
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Speaking before the Everton Premier League clash, Hasenhuttl said: “Yeah. It definitely would not be a disadvantage if the player that we sign can also play as a six, as a third alternative for us in this position.
“We do have a list. We will do something, that is clear. What we will do, that is the question."
Saints’ transfer policy so far this season seems to be buying younger bodies in to replace the experienced heads leaving, however, Hasenhuttl has insisted this might not necessarily be the case when replacing 29-year-old Vestergaard.
The Austrian boss added: “Will we sign a young one? The centre-back position it is not one hundred percent necessary that we sign a younger player.
“Signing an experienced player in this position can help you massively, when he accepts his role. If he can accept his role then yet, this is a massive transfer opportunity.”
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