Luton Town manager Rob Edwards admits Southampton have made ‘an offer’ for James Bree with the former Aston Villa youngster potentially on his way to the Premier League, speaking to Luton Today.
After bringing in Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcararz from Croatian and Argentinian football, Saints boss Nathan Jones is looking much closer to home for his third new signing of the January transfer window.
Bree, who joined Aston Villa for £3 million when still a teenager five years ago, played arguably the best football of his career under Jones at Kenilworth Road; the former Hatters boss hailing his ‘world-class’ set-piece delivery and labelling the right-back a player of ‘Premier League potential’.
And, with Southampton closing in on Bree, the now-25-year-old right-back may soon have the opportunity to prove Jones right, that he does indeed belong amongst England’s elite.
Southampton are closing in on Luton Town’s James Bree
“We’ve had an offer from Southampton,” explains Edwards, the ex-Watford boss who replaced Jones in the Luton dugout.
“Things are progressing between the clubs. I’m not in a position to say anything else because, at the moment, there’s nothing more to give. We can update if things progress the way we expect them to.”
Southampton are prioritising a right-back with Tino Livramento still unavailable due to injury. Bree’s contract expires in July. The Athletic believe he could set the Saints back a bargain £750,000; Leeds United youngster Cody Drameh a potential replacement at the Championship dark horses.
Southampton have also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur misfit Djed Spence. Bree’s arrival could leave Crystal Palace, Brentford and Leicester City free to make moves of their own for a £19 million England U21 international who has played just four minutes of Premier League football under Antonio Conte.
Spence looks set to fall even further down Spurs’ pecking order. The London giants are closing in on potential £40 million deal for Sporting Lisbon’s one-time Manchester City starlet Pedro Porro.
Southampton, meanwhile, will also set their sights on a centre-forward between now and next week’s deadline. Nicolas Jackson is heading to local rivals Bournemouth; The Cherries agreeing a £20 million fee with Villarreal.
Terem Moffi of Lorient appears to be too expensive. Marseille benchwarmer Bamba Dieng, then, may be the most likely alternative at this stage.
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