da heads bet： RB Salzburg Sporting Director Christoph Freund has revealed that Marin Pongračić could leave the club this month.
da fazobetai： The Croatia centre-back has made seven appearances in all competitions for the Austrian side, playing alongside Takumi Minamino and Erling Braut Håland before the pair moved to Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Pongračić – a Croatian U21 international – is believed to be on Southampton’s radar this month, with Sky Sports stating that the 22-year-old is a long-term target of the Saints.
What did he say?
Freund told Welt Fussball: “It is possible that both will leave the club. Nevertheless, we are convinced that we are very well positioned.”
Interestingly, Welt Fussball also revealed that the centre-back is in talks with a club ‘from abroad’.
Promising update
While Freund doesn’t give too much away in regards to Pongračić and his future, he does provide a promising update on a player who, as Sky Sports revealed, is a long-term target for the Saints.
Southampton are in need of a new centre-back given the fact that they have only two options behind first-choice duo Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek, although those backups aren’t the best.
Maya Yoshida – a 31-year-old who has played just five Premier League minutes since the 9-0 defeat to Leicester in October – is one of them, while Jannik Vestergaard, a man who the Saints are said to be open to offers for, is another.
Can you remember how much each of these transfer icons cost? Only experts will get 100% on our quiz…
Additionally, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have conceded the third-most goals in the Premier League this season having shipped 39 goals in 22 games, so there is quite clearly a need for reinforcements at the back.
Freund really keeps his cards close to his chest, and there is absolutely nothing to imply that Southampton are the side in negotiations with Pongračić – however, the fact that the Saints have been linked with the Croatian, as well as the fact that his departure is “possible”, certainly makes for interesting reading.
In other news, take a look at this image of Jack Stephens that Southampton fans will love…