According to Sky Sports, Southampton are now close to landing Serie A defender Wesley Hoedt as manager Mauricio Pellegrino seeks more defensive reinforcements with Virgil van Dijk’s future at the club under huge uncertainty. The Lazio centre half has been a subject of keen interest from numerous Premier League clubs since last winter and the Saints might just win the race this time.
Only 23, the Dutch international has shown immense maturity and understanding of the game in the Italian league and Pellegrino seems to have finally found a replacement for their departing star. The Saints have mostly been low key this summer in their arrivals, apart from getting in Mario Lemina from Juventus.
They have brought in only two other players- centre-half Jan Bednarek from Lech Poznan and goalkeeper Jack Rose from West Bromwich Albion. Getting in Hoedt could be yet another statement signing for them. Pellegrino started his managerial campaign in England with a safe goalless draw against Swansea City last week and his real test starts next week as they visit London Stadium to face a heavily armed West Ham United.
Young Hoedt made his senior debut for Netherlands earlier this year following his impressive stint with the Italian club from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar in 2015. According to Sky Italy, Pellegrino has already made a decent £15.5 million bid for him although Lazio are yet to agree to it. Van Dijk has been sitting out with illness at the moment, which looks nothing more than the player’s unwillingness to play as he had already handed a transfer request.
Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has reiterated time and again that the player won’t be sold this summer which makes fans excited about the possibility of Hoedt playing alongside Van Dijk in the league. He had made a decent 21 appearances in Serie A last season but didn’t take part in Lazio’s 3-2 win over Juventus in the Italian Super Cup last Sunday.
At 6 ft 3 1⁄2 inch, Hoedt is definitely capable of coping with the aerial duels in the Premier League and also retains an excellent vision from the back, which could be helpful in finding the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini, Charlie Austin and Shane Long running up front.
Despite being aggressive in his approach, Hoedt refrains from going into reckless challenges that Premier League sees plenty of. He is also not afraid to put his body on the line for the last-ditch attempts that make him an excellent option for any club in the league.
