According to reports from a leading news outlet in Luxembourg, Le Quotidien, Southampton’s search for a right back has led them to Waasland-Beveren’s defender Laurent Jans and Saints boss Claude Puel has already offered a deal to bring him to the club.
The Saints are likely to get stiff competition from Championship side Aston Villa and Huddersfield to land the right-back. The 24-year-old Luxembourg international is also quite a hot prospect among many top-flight French clubs. Apart from England and France, he has gained attention from VfB Stuttgart, Werder Bremen and Anderlecht.
Waasland-Beveren are reportedly asking for a fee in the region of 1million euros for the defender. They had signed him from Luxembourg’s Fola-Esh for 10,000 euros 18 months ago. Anderlecht is also known to have taken notice when Jans helped Waasland-Beveren to a 2-1 win over the Belgian giants a few weeks back.
Southampton are currently having a dearth of options in that right back position and although Cedric Soares seems to return slowly to full fitness, they would surely be needing reinforcements as they currently have the third choice Cuco Martina at the moment. The only available right-back is Jeremy Pied, who too remains out with a knee injury. Southampton currently have to cover the position with Maya Yoshida, who is actually a centre-back and looks uncomfortable.
Jans has made 15 appearances this season and scored two goals, one in the Jupiler Pro League and one in the Beker van Belgie. The player could be a good wing back as he has a good burst of pace, which could really come in handy in Premier League. He is very sound defensively with good stamina and although he is 178 cm he seems to be good in aerial duels for he times his jump quite effectively. He has a decent crossing ability, which could definitely improve under Puel. He could be a finished product in a few years in Premier League.
Southampton are currently in the 10th position in the league after collecting just 13 points from the opening 11 games. After a dull start, they picked up their form of late but do need reinforcements to fortify their position in the top flight of English football.
