x

Saints Interested In Defender Who Has Rejected Ajax

Saints are said to be interested in a French Central defender who is reported to have turned down the Dutch side preferring the Premier League.

Saints are being linked with Christopher Jullien currently at Toulouse, the 6ft 5 central defender is said by French media outlet Le Depeche to be talking to three Premier League clubs after turning down Ajax in his desire to move to the Premier League.

Burnley and Crystal Palace are also in the frame with the fee being quoted as around 10 million euros.

Julien was linked with Saints a year ago, however the club were probably put off at that stage by a relatively poor track record, up until 2016 he had only played in the second tier of French football, but in the summer of that year he joined Toulouse and hasn't looked back.

Now with two solid years behind him he is beginning to attract attention, although Le Depeche state that at the moment it is only talks that have been held and no club has made a firm offer.

Back in April 2017 Jullien was linked with Saints and was described as a "strong un" in an article that said that then Saints boss Claude Puel was considering three options, a young un, a strong un and a safe option, with Jullien at 6ft 5 certainly that.

He could slot into a Saints defence that lacked someone to win the ball too many times last year and would be a good partner for Wesley Hoedt who is a more ball playing central defender.

The young un suggested was Joris Gnagnon of Rennes and he has had a solid season in France and now at 21 has as much experience as Jullien in the top flight of France.

The safe option was Romain Thomas of Angers, another big defender he is now 29 and although West brom have tried to sign him on a couple of occasions he has remained at Angers since 2013.

Saints have a good track record of getting in central defenders from the French league who have previously been relatively unknown, Michael Svensson and Dejan Lovren being two notable signings.

What to read next:

Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Swansea City 3 - 0 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Leeds United 1 - 0 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Stoke City 1 - 0 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Stoke City 1 - 1 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Queens Park Rangers 4 - 2 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Stoke City 1 - 0 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Stoke City 0 - 1 Southampton - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Stoke City 0 - 1 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Swansea City 1 - 3 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.