LYANCO has reportedly decided to turn down a permanent stay at Al-Gharafa, despite Saints agreeing a £4million fee.
The Brazilian defender spent the last season on loan at the Qatari outfit but is set to return to England to find a new club.
Lyanco made 13 appearances in the Stars League as his side finished third, while his parent club won promotion to the Premier League.
A future at St Mary's is unlikely but Lyanco wants to play in front of the eyes of his national team, in an attempt to gain recognition.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has detailed Lyanco's decision to return to Saints rather than stay at Al-Gharafa this summer.
⚪️🔴🇧🇷 Despite Al Gharafa agreeing on €4.5m deal with Southampton, Brazilian CB Lyanco has decided to leave Al Gharafa and return to #SaintsFC.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2024
Lyanco, ready to go for another challenge in Europe or Brazil.
His contract at Southampton expires in June 2025. pic.twitter.com/CYegaoz7l0
His report adds that Saints agreed a fee worth 4.5million Euros for the 27 year old, who spent two seasons at St Mary's.
Saints spent around £7million on the former Torino man as a Jannik Vestergaard replacement in August 2021.
They could have recouped more than half of that if Lyanco had decided to make his Qatar stay permanent.
Saints will now look to European and Brazilian clubs to strike a deal, with Vasco de Gama credited it as long-term admirers.
Saints also have German international Armel Bella-Kotchap set to return from his loan at Dutch outfit PSV.
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