Southampton have reportably held talks and are considering a £12m bid for Lazio's Wesley Hoedt, Arron Sanders looks at the situation.

Saints are according to the Daily Mail, weighing up a £12million move for Lazio centre back Wesley Hoedt as they allegedly prepare for Virgil van Dijk's departure.

Van Dijk is due to discuss his future with the club this week after He spent last week training on his own at the Staplewood training base while the team were on a pre-season trip to France.

Liverpool were warned over their approaches to Van Dijk earlier in the summer but that has not prevented the 26-year-old from voicing his desire to move to Anfield and play under Jurgen Klopp.

Mauricio Pellegrino has been using Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida as his centre-back pairing during pre season and also now has Polish Under 21 international Jan Bednarek to call upon.

However, talks have taken place over Hoedt, another Holland international, who has been at Lazio since 2015.

The 23-year-old was a target for Southampton last summer while Middlesbrough, Leicester and Everton have also considered the former Alkmaar centre back. Hoedt is strong in the air, comfortable on the ball and a good reader of the game.

Off course the Dutchman could just be a replacement for Jose Fonte, and also a way of pursuading Van Dijk to give us at least another season by signing a fellow Dutchman.

Would you welcome the signing of Wesley Hoedt? Or would you prefer either Yoshida or Stephens to get their chance this season?

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 12:46 - Aug 2 Strange question Arron I think Yoshida and Stephens have both had a decent run of games since VVD got injured and tapped up. I don't think there is any way that the sulky captain can be playing for us again so a replacement is vital. If Hoedt fits the bill then get him in this week and integrate him into the squad asap. It looks as though Yoshi and Jack will more than likely start against Swansea unless Gardos shows he is able to fill the gap.I doubt very much that VVD has the slightest interest in who his employers sign as he has no apparent desire to play for the club over the next five years.

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IWOZTHERE added 13:08 - Aug 2 At least this is about a potential signing. I'm sick of the doubt surrounding the 'sale' or non-sale of the club. Totally fed up with reading about the 'pros and cons' of the VVD situation, the value of the principled 'stand' arguing against the 'get rid' lobby. The club has dug itself a big hole and I don't believe (like some), that it is in control, As usual it is being lead by circumstances rather than the other way round. I'm all for not being bullied, but IMO the bottom line is that unless VVD goes, the club will not fork out enough money to do the strengthening required.

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