Southampton mainstay Jan Bednarek is ‘ready to change club’ with an ‘unexpected’ and ‘surprising’ transfer to Aston Villa now on the cards.
The Lowdown: Southampton busy…
The Saints have been very active this transfer window having sealed six major signings in Gavin Bazanu, Romeo Lavia, Joe Aribo, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Mateusz Lis and Sekou Mara.
In terms of departures, there have been a few big names leaving St. Mary’s Stadium, with former goalkeeper Fraser Forster sealing a move to Tottenham and ex-striker Shane Long putting pen to paper at Reading (Transfermarkt).
September 1 lingers with just under a fortnight of the summer window remaining, but according to reports out of Poland, defender Bednarek could be on the move before then.
The Latest: Bednarek eyes move away…
According to news outlet Meczyki, the 26-year-old is ‘ready to change club’ this summer.
As well as this, Bednarek ‘may become the hero of a surprising transfer’, as it is claimed that Aston Villa are eyeing an ‘unexpected move’ which ‘may occur’ in the final days of this window.
The Verdict: Fight to keep him?
As per WhoScored, the Poland international finished 2021/22 as one of Southampton’s top five best-performing players by average match rating – all while playing the fourth-highest amount of league minutes.
Defensively, he was arguably manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s star asset – averaging more interceptions, clearances and blocks made per 90 than any other player in the Saints squad.
Still yet to reach his prime, letting Bednarek go would be a regrettable end to the window and Southampton would arguably need to sign a replacement.
Indeed, this could be one to avoid for the club.