Lyanco is once again facing an uncertain future at Southampton with the Premier League stopper’s father admitting that a move away from St Mary’s is on the cards heading into the summer transfer window.
Following Monday’s 4-3 defeat at Nottingham Forest, the Saints can officially be relegated this weekend if they fail to beat an impressive Fulham side at St Mary’s.
Focus will then turn to constructing a squad capable of bouncing back at the first attempt. The good news is that, in Nathan Tella, Sam Edozie, Carlos Alcaraz, Gavin Bazunu and Tino Livramento, Southampton have a core of exciting young talent who could take the Championship by storm.
The bad, however, is that James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia and Armel Bella-Kotchap are likely to have the vultures circling overhead.
Is Lyanco leaving Southampton this summer?
A 26-year-old centre-half who has been in-and-out of the starting XI under a series of managers; the departure of Lyanco would not tug on quite so many heartstrings. His experience, however, could still be missed in a dressing room that more closely resembles a creche at times.
Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola, speaking on his YouTube channel, has spoken to Lyanco’s camp. And the former Torino defender’s dad admits that, while Lyanco would relish a return to Brazil due to personal reasons, it is not out of the realms of possibility that he ends up extending his stay in Europe.
“Southampton have received official proposals from Botafogo and Vasco da Gama,” Nicola explains.
Before recording this video, I talked to the player’s father. I asked how the negotiations are going. He told me that there is a possibility of him (Lyanco) staying in Europe at another club.
“Some European clubs have already sought him out, in order to demonstrate their interest in signing him. But the possibility of a deal with Vasco da Gama has not been ruled out.”
Southampton paid £7 million to sign Lyanco in the summer of 2021.
Marcelo Vojnovic, Lyanco’s agent as well his father, told Nicola earlier in the year that the Saints blocked his January departure, refusing to accept either temporary or permanent bids for a man who enjoyed a brief resurgence under Nathan Jones following the Qatar World Cup.
Southampton are bottom of the table on just 24 points. They are currently eight adrift of safety with just three games remaining.
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