Southampton were heavily linked with Feyenoord’s 2017 Eredivisie winner Vilhena – and should revisit interest.
During Ronald Koeman’s time in charge of Southampton, the South Coast club were heavily linked with Dutch midfielder Tonny Vilhena.
According to The Mirror in 2015, The Saints had made an enquiry about Vilhena with the talented enforcer turning heads in the Eredivisie with his eye-catching performances for Feyenoord.
And despite the links growing cold over the last few years, Vilhena is back in the gossip columns. Calciomercato is claiming that Tottenham Hotspur are now keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, who is still plying his trade with Rotterdam giants Feyenoord.
It is no secret that Spurs are looking at midfielders, with Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama both expected to bid farewell to life in North London in 2019.
But news of Tottenham’s interest should perhaps have Southampton looking at Vilhena again, even if countryman Koeman is no longer at the helm of St Mary’s.
The 12-time Netherlands international would provide the thrust and creativity Southampton appear to be lacking in central midfield. And the high-pressing, fast-paced attacking style favoured by Ralph Hasenhuttl, who could bring that Koeman-esque approach back to the South Coast, fits Vilhena perfectly.
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