Southampton’s Ruben Semedo saga could affect Leeds United’s Pontus Jansson hopes

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Leeds United looked to have warded off interest from Southampton for Pontus Jansson but the Ruben Semedo saga may change things.

Ruben Semedo

It seems that Southampton’s attempts to lure Ruben Semedo to England have been nothing short of a colossal waste of time.

The Daily Mirror reported on Monday that The Saints were scrapping with Newcastle United for the signature of Sporting Lisbon’s classy centre-half, having agreed to meet the 23-year-old’s £12.5 million asking price.

And with The Standard reporting that Liverpool are closing in on a £60 million deal to make Virgil van Dijk the most expensive defender in football history, it appeared that Semedo’s availability could hardly be better timed.

Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk

Yet, on the same day that the BBC claimed Southampton will report Liverpool to the Premier League for an attempt to unsettle Van Dijk, Claude Puel’s side look set for more frustration.

One that got away?

Because Goal report that Semedo has his heart set on making the short trip to Spain rather than upping sticks and heading to England. The Portuguese international has been linked with Villarreal in recent weeks and the player’s agent, Catio Balde, confirmed that his client is heading for La Liga.

And this may have rather unpleasant ramifications for Leeds United. After all, Sky Sports report that Whites’ cult hero Pontus Jansson was Southampton’s first choice to replace Van Dijk this summer.

Pontus Jansson made it into the EFL Team of the Year

The Swedish international agreed to sign a contract with Leeds until 2020 after enjoying a superb loan spell from Torino in 2016/17 but it appears that The Saints will attempt to put a spanner in the works.

The Yorkshire Evening Post report that Jansson will be happy to remain at Elland Road next season despite the resignation of manager Garry Monk. But Southampton missing out on their top target may just encourage them to revisit the deal to make Jansson a Premier League defender.