Southampton are reportedly keeping a close eye on Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini.
According to reports in Algeria, as cited by French news outlet Mercato365, Saints are pondering a move for the young defender as they aim to replace Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman secured a £75m move to Liverpool on Wednesday night and Saints must now replace him with a new central defender in January.
Bensebaini is by trade a centre-back but is also capable of playing on the left-hand side of defence. He is an established Algerian international at 22-years-old and has made 11 starts in Ligue 1 so far this season for Rennes.
Standing at 6’2″, Bensebaini is a competent defender in the air and is capable of bringing the ball out from the back, akin to the qualities which Van Dijk has demonstrated over the years.
Saints are said to be negotiating a deal out in France for a player as they look to tie up their January negotiations quickly, so it comes as no surprise to see them linked to various Ligue 1 players.
The former Montpellier loanee is contracted to Rennes until the summer of 2020.
