Would Jack Stephens’ potential Southampton departure leave Leeds facing greater battle trying to keep Pontus Jansson

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Southampton have been linked with Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson, and it appears that they may have to replace two centre-backs this summer.

Pontus Jansson is reportedly on Southampton’s radar

When Leeds defender Pontus Jansson was linked with a summer move to Southampton recently, The Sun suggested that the chances of the Saints actually making a move were dependent on whether Virgil van Dijk left St Mary’s at the end of this campaign.

Jansson is due to join the Whites on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell, but The Sun suggested that he is at the top of the Saints’ wishlist if van Dijk leaves. So perhaps, the Telegraph‘s recent report which touched on the names that may be moving this summer should leave Leeds slightly more concerned about the chances of keeping their cult-hero.

The Telegraph suggested that not only is van Dijk is expected to leave the south coast club, but fellow centre-back Jack Stephens has also been linked with the exit just a few months after his Premier League debut.

It could certainly be argued that with Jansson seemingly deemed good enough to be van Dijk’s replacement if he leaves, he may well be the first name that they turn to if they lose either the Dutchman or Stephens.

Jack Stephens is reportedly likely to leave Southampton this summer

And with the Telegraph suggesting that both could well be on their way this summer, it appears that Leeds could face an even greater fight to keep a player who has been something of a talisman in the fans’ eyes this term as losing both would surely make a bid for Jansson something of a formality if they are as interested as The Sun suggests.

And with Kyle Bartley only on loan and now, as things stand, set to return to Swansea, losing Jansson also would undoubtedly be a major blow for Garry Monk’s men as they try to go one better next season after such a promising campaign at Elland Road this year.

Jansson was earmarked as a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk