x

Jan Bednarek Falling Out Of Love With Saints And Flirting With Villa.

According to reports in Poland Jan Bednarek's time at Southampton is seemingly coming to an end if journalists in his native Poland are correct, what that means is debatable, but in simple terms they hint he doesn't want to be at St Mary's anymore.

Polish journalist Tomasz WÅ‚odarczyk has been speaking to media outlet Meczyki.pl program Okno Transferowe and the news is not pleasing for Saints supporters.

WÅ‚odarczyk claims the player’s time at Southampton is ‘slowly coming to an end’, even though he has three years left on his contract at St Mary’s Stadium and that he is getting closer to Aston Villa.

This all sounds like a man who wants out of a marriage, or in this case his relationship with Southampton Football Club.

This is no surprise, a year ago Bednarek returned from the European Championships with Poland and he seemed a different person, his head had been turned, he had seen the bright lights of European competition and saw the grass as being greener on the other side.

He barely played in the opening fixtures of last season and he has found himself substituted in the game against Leeds and an unused substitute in the win over Leicester City, he looked a player unhappy with his lot and it seems he has fallen out of love with Saints and want's to trade up to something he sees as glamorous.

We have seen it before at St Mary's, before Jose Fonte had even arrived back to pre season training with Saints after winning Euro 2016 with Portugal, he was already being lined up for a deal with Manchester United by his agent, despite not long having signed a new deal with Saints and expressing his wishes to stay with the club to the end of his career.

That initially didn't end well for both Saints or the player, he could have stayed in the January window and if he had played in the League Cup Final we might well have won, but he preferred to join West Ham for some reason, he failed there and had an aborted time in China, after a wasted year he joined Lille and has had a decent few years.

So Jan Bednarek is going down the same route, he wants a divorce, but like Fonte he is finding that all the big name club's his agent has promised him fail to materialise and now with only a week of the transfer window left he is facing being left on the shelf.

From a Saints perspective they would be quite happy to be shot of him, but with 3 years left on his contract they are in a strong position, they want the going rate and no more or no less, but the going rate is £20 million and no one seems to be willing to pay that.

Certainly not Aston Villa who with an injury to their new signing in the centre half position likely to keep him out for a season, want to take Bednarek on a season long loan, they don't see him as a long term option.

Saints would prefer to get him off the payroll, but there could be a compromise, Tyrone Mings is out of favour at Villa, perhaps a loan deal swap would suit both clubs and indeed both players.

Certainly Tomasz WÅ‚odarczyk feels that Villa Park is going be his destination, he claims the Southampton player is ‘getting closer’ to Aston Villa and that he is betting on the player joining the club.

Either way Saints will not want a drawn out end to a once good relationship that has gone sour, but will be looking for a swift resolution, however they are not going to do it on the cheap.

What to read next:

West Ham United Linked With Southampton Defender
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, usually one of the more reliable purveyors of transfer news, West Ham are in negotiations with Saints regarding Kyle Walker Peters.
The Calm Before The Storm The Transfer Scrum Begins On Monday
Southampton have been linked with literally dozens of players in the past few weeks, causing the frothing of mouths across the fanbase, as every rumour was treated like it was a nailed on signing.
Saints Announce Pre Season Schedule
Southampton have announced the first part of their pre season schedule with a game against National League side Eastleigh followed by a week long trip to Spain and a couple of friendlies.
Southampton In Pole Position For Peterborough Defender
Saints are building their squad for next season and are looking to get the balance right between, seasoned professionals, experienced 25 year olds & promising youngsters, the latest reports suggest that Saints are in pole position for one of League One's most gifted talents.
Southampton Linked With Yet Another Liverpool Player
Hot on the heels of Fabio Carvalho, Tyler Morton and Caoimhin Kelleher, Saints are being liked with yet another fringe player from Anfield, this time in the centre of defence.
Saints Set To Agree Deal With Keeper
According to sources, as the saying goes, Southampton are about to agree a new contract with goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, therefore putting an end to the speculation that he might join Liverpool.
Saints Linked With Liverpool Attacker They Lost Out On In January
Back in January Saints tried to sign a number of attacking players as they looked to boost their options for the Promotion run in, they ended up with David Brooks from Bournemouth, but it seems he is now not on the list and they are looking to get the man they lost out on.
Championship Goalkeeper Linked With Southampton Liverpool And Arsenal
Many outfield players have been linked with Southampton in the past month, but there has been virtually no concrete rumours about a new goalkeeper, however here is the first of the summer.
Southampton Confirm Romain Perraud Departure
Saints have announced that left back Romain Perraud will leave the club on 1st July after 3 years at St Mary's, to join La Liga side Real Betis.
Liverpool Put £20 Million Price Tag On Saints Target
Southampton, AFC Bournemouth and Ipswich Town are all said to be interested in a Liverpool midfielder who spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Hull City, but is this just agent's talk or does this deal have substance.