Southampton are reportedly keen on Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson.
Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie and Leeds United’s Pontus Jansson in action
According to The Sun, Southampton have pinpointed Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson as a top summer transfer target – and could offer around £10million for his signature, around three times what the Whites have agreed to pay for the centre back.
Jansson, 26, has been one of the stars of Leeds’ season, having joined the club on loan from Italian side Torino back in August, where he had become something of an outcast.
At Leeds though, Jansson has been a hero. A firm fan favourite, Jansson has notched three goals in 31 appearances this term, with his defensive displays cementing him as one of the top centre backs in the Championship.
Leeds have activated a permanent deal for the Swedish international, but The Sun claim that the Whites could receive around three times the £3.5million they’ve agreed to pay for Jansson this summer.
The report states that Southampton are eyeing up centre backs for this summer’s transfer window, and they have placed Leeds star Jansson at the top of their list, with Virgil van Dijk looking likely to leave the club this summer.
Southampton are now believed to have switched their attention from Mamadou Sakho to Jansson, and could pay around £10million as they look to offer Leeds a ‘triple-your-money’ deal for their star centre back.
Pontus Jansson of Leeds United celebrates
If Leeds miss out on promotion to the Premier League this season, then that kind of money could be hard to turn down, but going up to the top flight would put Leeds in a strong position to keep their best players – including Jansson.
An outstanding centre back both on and off the ball, Jansson has proven himself as too good for the Championship this season, and there appears to be a strong chance that he ends up in the Premier League this summer; though ideally, with Leeds United.
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