Work permit problems could stop Mohammed Salisu moving to the Premier League this summer, with Southampton back in for a centre-half they failed to sign during the January transfer window, as reported by AS.
With Jan Bednarek and the criminally underrated Jack Stephens throwing their bodies in the way of absolutely everything during a remarkable 1-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday, it would be easy to suggest that defensive reinforcements should not be a priority this summer.
But one swallow does not make a summer – and one backs-against-the-wall performance should not dictate a club’s entire transfer plans.
Only four top-flight sides have conceded more goals than Southampton in 2019/20, after all.
While Stephens might be rapidly becoming one of the Premier League’s finest centre-backs, and a dark horse for England’s Euro 2021 squad, question marks remain about Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard.
The loaned-out Maya Yoshida, meanwhile, looks set to leave on a permanent basis.
Signing Salisu as a replacement for the long-serving Japanese international, however, may be easier said than done.
AS claims that Southampton failed to convince the Real Valladolid starlet to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in January after making a bid for his services.
Six months on, the South Coast side are trying again – but, while Salisu’s £10 million release clause puts him well within their grasp, work permit problems could tie up a potential deal in plenty of red tape.
Salisu, who has also been linked with Watford, Wolves, Newcastle and Manchester United, is yet to make a single appearance for the Ghanaian national team.
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