‘Heroic’ Southampton star now wanted by PL rival, keen to quit St Mary’s

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Leicester City are now showing interest in signing Jan Bednarek from Southampton to give Brendan Rodgers a new centre-half, with the defender keen to quit St Mary’s this summer.

That’s according to 90min, who note the Foxes have added Bednarek to their shortlist with Saints chiefs open to offers. Serie A giants AC Milan and Napoli are also considering moves to buy the Poland international, who still has another three years left to go on his contract.

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Southampton awarded Bednarek a five-year extension in 2020, following his performances on the south coast since arriving from Lech Poznan in 2017 for £5.5m. The 26-year-old has amassed 150 appearances across all competitions with the Saints, including 34 last season.

Yet despite Bednarek retaining a regular role in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans, Southampton are ready to sell him amid interest from Leicester. The Foxes admire what the 42-cap defender has shown in England, and could now make him their first signing of this summer window.

Bednarek keen to quit Southampton before emerging Leicester interest

Bednarek was also keen to leave Southampton in the current off-season before Leicester’s interest emerged. Polish publication Meczyki reported in June that the 6 ft 2 enforcer, who Alan Shearer has hailed for his ‘heroic’ performances, wants to move with Roma an option.

The Saints would agree to sell the defender for offers in the region of €15m (£12.5m), and have already moved to replace Bednarek in Hasenhuttl’s plans. Armel Bella-Kotchap joined the St Mary’s outfit from VfL Bochum for €10m (£8.5m) last month on a four-year contract.

Leicester now stepping up their interest in Bednarek would make the Poland international the latest Southampton defender to move to the King Power Stadium in the last year. The Foxes also raided St Mary’s last August for Jannik Vestergaard in a last-gasp £15m swoop.