Some Southampton fans are currently split on the club’s recent links with young Real Valladolid central defender Mohammed Salisu.
Reports from African outlet FootballGhana.com have said that the Saints are willing to pay €10million (£8.5million) for the defender, who currently has a release clause of around £10million. The report also claims that Real Valladolid have been looking to hand Salisu a new deal to make sure that he has a higher release clause.
They go onto state that while Salisu would prefer to stay till the end of the season, any Southampton approach could accelerate any plans of leaving the club.
Southampton fans: Do you want Salisu?
He'd be a very good signing
Avoid him
This transfer news has brought about a split amongst Saints fans, with some fans claiming that they would want the defender at St. Mary’s this month.
I’d say this one has #SaintsFC written all over it, but is he ready? Danso will eventually develop and be great, as perhaps will this lad in time. But will they do a job for us in the second half of this season?
— Ian Davis (@Iananities) December 30, 2019
Any extra defender is welcome in my eyes. Surely an upgrade on what we have imo
— ????? (@we8pompey84) December 30, 2019
Cheap, inexperienced option yet again from #saintsfc. Boring and predictable from them.
— Alastair Pearce (@03alpe01) December 30, 2019
Have you even seen the guy play, the guy is strong, big and fast and technically good. Please explain to me how that is not what we need.
— Steven Sainsbury (@stevy7) December 30, 2019
Why can’t we bid for Ramos?
— WeMarchOn ™ (@kelvinlegod) December 30, 2019
Would be great but can’t see him coming. To much money available from bigger clubs?
— David Cross (@DaveCross66) December 30, 2019
Salisu is 20 is a product of the club’s youth academy. He has risen up the ranks through the reserves side of the club and made his debut for the side as early as last season when he played twice in the Copa del Rey. He didn’t make a single appearance in the La Liga last season.
Last season, he also played for the Real Valladolid B side. He played 26 games in the league and it helped him make a way into the first-team.
This season though, he has come of age. He has become a regular for the club at centre-back. He has played 18 times in the La Liga, also scoring once. The Ghanaian’s current deal at Valladolid runs out in the summer of 2022.
What do we think?
The Saints haven’t been good enough defensively this season. They lost 9-0 to Leicester City and have let in 38 goals and that is the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League. It shows that they need a defensive improvement. Salisu could well provide that.