Agent said 25-year-old eyeing Southampton exit but Saints won’t let him go

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Premier League strugglers Southampton currently have no plans to let £7 million centre-back Lyanco leave St Mary’s during the January transfer window with Vasco da Gama planning a loan bid, according to Goal. 

The report adds that Lyanco has not yet made a decision about whether or not he is keen on a potential return to Brazilian football.

His agent and father struck a rather different tone earlier in the week, however, telling Atencao Vascainos that the 25-year-old was open to the idea of joining newly-promoted Vasco da Gama in the New Year. 

“I spoke with him about some clubs; including Vasco,” says Marcelo Vojnovic, speaking on his son’s behalf. “He told me that he seems to have a good project for next year, and to look at (a move back to Brazil) with very good eyes.   

“Of course, without ruling out other clubs that are interested in him.”   

Southampton defender Lyanco is a target for Brazilian duo Vasco da Gama and Botafogo

Vasco’s Rio neighbours Botafogo, according to reporter Jorge Nicola, are also taking an interest. The former appear to be further down the line than the latter in their pursuit of Lyanco, however; Vasco already asking Southampton about whether or not the £7 million signing ex-Torino man can leave in January. 

Vasco want Lyanco on an initial loan deal. Southampton, though, have ‘no interest’ in letting him go midway through a gruelling campaign. Lyanco is yet to start a league match in his favoured centre-half role this term. But, with the threat of relegation very real, Southampton will be fully aware of the risks involved when letting a player go during this most packed of fixture schedules. 

Lyanco, the report adds, will leave the decision on his future to the Southampton bosses. The one-time Leeds United target started on the bench during Nathan Jones’ managerial debut in charge of the Saints last weekend; a 3-1 defeat to a Darwin Nunez-inspired Liverpool at Anfield. 

In other news, Southampton could make a new full-back the first signing of the post-Ralph Hasenhuttl era. Parma’s Jayden Oosterwolde is reportedly a target. Oosterwolde would provide competition for Romain Perraud at left-back, with Kyle Walker-Peters out for the forseable future.