Southampton have been linked with a move for Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson during the summer transfer window.
Pontus Jansson of Leeds United
A recent report in The Sun has suggested that Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson is being lined up by Southampton as a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk should the Dutchman leave St Mary’s during the upcoming summer window.
While Jansson is currently on loan at Elland Road, The Sun reports that the Whites have agreed a permanent deal for the Sweden international with Torino that will see him join permanently at the end of the season.
Should he depart almost as soon as his £3.5 million move to Leeds is finalised, then perhaps Garry Monk may want to consider asking for one of Claude Puel’s squad in return as part of any potential deal.
With that in mind, here are three Saints players who Leeds should potentially target if the writing is on the wall for their chances of keeping Jansson…
Jack Stephens
Jack Stephens has impressed since emerging onto the scene at St Mary’s, but would probably have not enjoyed such a run in the team had Jose Fonte not left in January and van Dijk not spent much of the latter part of the season on the sidelines. If Jansson leaves, Monk desperately needs more options in defence and Stephens may be a great player to target.
Sunderland’s Paddy McNair in action with Southampton’s Jack Stephens
Sam Gallagher
Sam Gallagher’s performances in the Championship have arguably been the only thing that Blackburn fans have really had to be positive about for most of the season. With 11 league goals to his name, he may be a good addition to the attacking ranks to give Chris Wood more support.
Josh Sims
Josh Sims looks to have bags of potential but is barely getting a game at the moment. A loan move to Leeds may suit all parties especially considering the uncertainty surrounding the futures of a number of the Whites’ wingers.
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