According to the press in Italy Saints have made an official offer for Lazio's Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt, but not as a replacement for Virgil Van Dijk.

Saints have apparently lodged an official bid for Wesley Hoedt and according to the Press in Italy it has matched Lazio's 17 million Euros valuation.

However reports in England are saying that Hoedt will not be signed as a replacement for Virgil Van Dijk and that the club's position remains unchanged and that Van Dijk will not be sold.

Hoedt was an unused sub for Lazio in the Italian SuperCoppa at the weekend and the reports from Italy say this was because of the bid received and that talks are now at an advanced stage.

Hoedt looks a good match for Saints although it remains to be seen if he does form a partenership with his Dutch International team mate in the Saints defence.

Photo: Action Images

BaselSaint added 15:24 - Aug 16 Good news - here`s hoping. Would be a good addition, and If he is good I will look forward to the same fiasco in 2019 as we are having now with VVD :)
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DPeps added 15:40 - Aug 16 Well, VVD is going at some point - whether that's in January, or next summer - so it makes sense for us to get a replacement with PL matches under his belt for when VVD does leave. Bednarek and Stephens are not at the level yet, although Stephens is increasingly impressive, while Yoshida is a great player to have in the squad.
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the_saint added 16:02 - Aug 16 If they can persuade vvd to stay what a Dutch partnership that would be with Stephens learning off of them and the ever reliable yoshi would be very pleased
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SaintPaulVW added 16:46 - Aug 16 Agree with all this, seems a good move.
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redandwhitedee added 17:16 - Aug 16 DPeps - how can you say Stephens is not at the level yet ? He has barely put a foot wrong for months now under immense pressure. He has helped record 9 CLEAN SHEETS since coming into the team only in January ! Stephens is doing a fantastic job and great credit to the club for spotting the potential and hanging onto him throughout the years when many other academy centre-backs were let go. He also should be given credit for sticking with us instead of pushing to leave when no opportunities were forthcoming.

2

darkangelv2 added 19:25 - Aug 16 VVD has to go (for £70mil and NOT to Liverpool) and will need replacing. The statement VVD put out has made his position untenable within the squad. If I were Stephens or Yoshi I'd be livid if he was welcomed back to the first team with open arms.
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SanMarco added 19:25 - Aug 16 Stephens has become a good reserve. I won't be devastated if he appears on the teamsheet when the first choices are not available but he is not good enough to be a first choice - nor is Yoshi. Remember we are top 8 aiming higher and need players that match that ambition. Huddersfield or someone might be happy with Stephens and Yoshi but would Everton?
2

aceofthebase added 21:07 - Aug 16 What would Everton want Sanmarco? well they preferred Martina to Cedric
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bstokesaint added 22:13 - Aug 16 Ace, maybe they thought Martina would make them appear to be raiding a rival... on the cheap... sorry very cheap!
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WanderingSaint added 23:11 - Aug 16 Looks like the intention is to partner him with VVVD, certainly initially. Interesting interview with Ralph on BBC here. He says VVVD won't be sold (but mentions "this window"), ad "we' not finished with incomings." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40949969
2

steve73 added 00:07 - Aug 17 He'd be a good signing. I just hope it gets hammered home to him during negotiations that his contract means something and behaving like a stroppy kid in 18 months time won't wash.
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StRipper added 00:10 - Aug 17 Good point aceofbase Everton don't have a great track record in quality transfers and the jury is out on Koeman
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SanMarco added 00:13 - Aug 17 Koeman liked Martina for some reason aceofthebase. We should see Everton as our closest rivals - come above them and it will be a very good season. Would they want Yoshi or Stephens as first choice? No - then neither should we.
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highfield49 added 08:54 - Aug 17 Absolutely crucial to get another experienced central defender in asap. Should VVD recover from his virus in the coming weeks he is clearly not match fit and if Stephens or Yoshi pick up an injury or red card then we are really going to be struggling defensively.
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SaintBrock added 15:56 - Aug 18 So this what 'going Dutch' really means...
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