Premier League strugglers Southampton have called off negotiations regarding a deal that would have seen £7 million centre-back Lyanco return to Brazil with Vasco da Gama, the defender’s agent and father tells Jorge Nicola.
The good news, as far as Lyanco is concerned, as that the arrival of Nathan Jones as the Saints’ new head coach may well hand the 25-year-old a chance to kick-start his stalling South Coast career.
Lyanco started just twice prior to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s sacking following the 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle United. And both of those outings came in an unfamiliar right-back role; the former Torino man forced to step in out wide due to the injury-enforced absences of Kyle Walker-Peters and Tino Livramento.
Marcelo Vojnovic, Lyanco’s father and representative, admitted indicated in November that a return to South America was being considered. But Southampton, it seems, are not quite as keen on the idea as Lyanco may be.
Southampton will not let Lyanco return to Brazil with Vasco da Gama
“Lyanco had the intention of returning to Brazil from Southampton,” Nicola explains.
“Botafogo and Vasco da Gama started negotiations. Botafogo ended up retreating. Vasco insisted, and tried to sign the player.
“Before recording this video, I spoke to Marcelo Vojnovic, who is the player’s agent and father. He told me the following; ‘Vasco made an effort to do the deal but (Southampton) do not accept the proposal. Neither sale nor loan’.
“So Lyanco will not return to Brazil. This is definitive. There no longer exists the possibility of more negotiations. Southampton put an end to negotiations, and say they count on the player. He will stay in English football.”
Lyanco played just 18 minutes during Jones’ debut in charge of Southampton before the World Cup break; a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool. The Saints will take on Lincoln City in the EFL Cup on Tuedsay, before a South Coast derby with Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day.
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