Ralph Hasenhuttl could be set to receive a huge boost at Southampton in the coming weeks after it was revealed that the club have opened talks with Jannik Vestergaard over a new deal at the club.
According to Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach, the Saints have begun negotiations with the Danish international over a new contract recently in the hope that they can convince him to extend his stay on the South Coast.
Will Vestergaard sign a new deal?
Yes
No
The former Borussia Monchengladbach man’s current deal with Southampton is set to expire at the end of next season, so there are perhaps concerns that he could leave for a relatively small fee, or even for nothing if he was convinced to let his contract run out.
The 28-year-old’s impressive displays so far this season have seen him linked with Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the summer transfer window, with Jose Mourinho reportedly looking to bolster his defensive options at the North London club with a move for the 6 foot 6 colossus.
We have seen Southampton lose some of their star performers in recent seasons, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg moving to Champions League regulars Liverpool and Spurs, but if Southampton are to push on under Hasenhuttl, then they should definitely be looking to keep hold of Vestergaard.
The £16.2m-rated centre-back has been one of Southampton’s best performers in the top-flight so far this season and was a big miss earlier in the season when he was out injured, with the Saints missing his aerial ability in attack and defence.
Despite his height, Vestergaard has also shown this season just how good he can be on the ball, as his pass accuracy rate is one of the best in the Southampton squad, managing to make 83.9% of his passing attempts – only bettered by set-piece James Ward-Prowse.
Therefore, if Vestergaard were to commit to a new long-term deal this summer which would surely dissuade the likes of Spurs from making an approach in the summer, it would undoubtedly prove to be a big boost for Hasenhuttl at Southampton.
And, in other news… No goals this season: Hasenhuttl should axe 25 y/o Saints flop this summer, he’s stealing a living