Southampton Open To Stephens Departure

Southampton could make defender Jack Stephens available this summer in order to fund a move for Walter Kannemann. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has been one of the busier managers in the transfer window to date, having brought in Moussa Djenepo, Che Adams and Danny Ings.

However, with more new signings planned, the Austrian tactician will also look to balance the books by offloading players who he doesn’t see in his long-term plans at St Mary’s. Left-back Matt Targett has already departed to join Aston Villa in a deal worth £11million and the Premier League new boys have now been linked with a swoop for Stephens.

The 24-year-old made 24 appearances for the Saints last term and has three years remaining on his contract, but he could be sold if Villa make a bid of £7million. And, any money brought in for Stephens will almost certainly be put towards a swoop for £10m-rated 28-year-old Argentina international, stopper, Kannemann, who has spent the last three years playing in Brazil with Gremio.