Leeds United have been linked with the 24-year-old.
Speaking to Fotboll Skanalen, Bologna defender Filip Helander has played down speculation linking him with a move to Leeds United this summer.
Goal.com reported on Thursday that the Whites were interested in signing the Sweden centre-back, who has two caps under his belt.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old, who played alongside Pontus Jansson at Malmo, insists that he is looking forward to moving past an “injury-filled” 2016-17 campaign with Bologna and starting afresh with the Serie A outfit next season.
He told Fotboll Skanalen when asked about the Leeds link: “I do not know. I do not know anything. I’m not too familiar with [the speculation]. I’ve just been on vacation recently.
“I like Bologna and have been doing very well there. I had an injury filled season recently and I hope it’s an end to it now. I hope I can be healthy and play next season.”
Jansson’s agent, Martin Dahlin, also represents the Bologna man – a fact which makes a switch to Elland Road that bit more realistic, but Helander reiterated that he was “very happy” in Italy when asked about the prospect of a reunion with his international colleague.
“There is much speculation right now. I do not know. I’m very happy in Bologna,” he added.
United are in the market for another centre-back and it looks unlikely at this stage that head coach Thomas Christiansen will re-sign Kyle Bartley.
The 26-year-old was brilliant during his season-long loan from Swansea last season, but the Premier League club have slapped a £7.5 million price-tag on him, according to The Mirror.
Jansson was exceptional alongside Bartley last term and it would go a long way for United’s promotion hopes if Helander was to come in and strike up a fine partnership with his old team-mate.
Leeds’ Pontus Jansson celebrates scoring their first goal
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