Southampton have been linked with a move for the Leeds United defender.
Leeds United boss Garry Monk
Leeds United manager Garry Monk has provided an update on his contract situation and responded to speculation linking defender Pontus Jansson with a move to Southampton.
Monk signed a rolling 12-month deal at the time of his appointment in June, but is yet to have his Elland Road stay extended despite steering Leeds to a comfortable position inside the Championship play-offs.
And the 37-year-old revealed, as quoted by the Yorkshire Post on Wednesday, that talks have yet to commence.
“I haven’t spoken to the club but to be honest, I’m very much focused on the football and getting my team prepared for Friday (when Leeds travel to Birmingham City),” he said. “My contract runs to the summer so there’s still a lot of time to speak about that situation.
“My priority right now is preparing this team for an important game and an important three points. I’m contracted to the summer. We haven’t sat down and spoken but there’s a lot of time between now and the end of the season. It’s not important right now. The most important bit is that we focus on this game on Friday.”
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Monk’s old club Southampton had revived their interest in Jansson, who had been on the Saints’ radar since 2013.
However, when asked about the speculation, the Whites boss replied, as quoted by the Daily Star: “I don’t need to comment on rumours.
“He is a Leeds United player and he is here and ready to fight.”
Leeds United’s Pontus Jansson
Jansson made an instant impression after moving to Leeds on loan from Torino in August, prompting the Yorkshire side to strike a permanent deal for the Swede, commencing this summer.
The Whites are thought to have paid in the region of £3.5 million for the 25-year-old and can expect to receive a far higher fee if they are to sell him on.
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