Southampton, among a host of Premier League clubs including Manchester United, were linked with a move for Real Valladolid star Mohammed Salisu in November.
Saints are believed to be one of several outfits considering triggering the €12 million release clause currently in his contract with the Spanish club, and a January move appears to be a genuine possibility.
In recent times, Valladolid director David Espinar spoke to Pucela Fichajes about his club’s chances of keeping Salisu but was equally calm about the prospect of the defender leaving.
He said:
Any player can be taken away. If you want Salisu, you pay and you take him.
We need to sell players, but also to compete. If Salisu left, I think we would have others.
Read Southampton’s verdict
There is little that can be done when a player’s release clause is triggered, but it seems Espinar feels as though Salisu’s possible departure would not be the end of the world.
The centre-back has been in good form for Valladolid in what has been an otherwise mediocre campaign for the club.
Saints are in need of new recruits at the back, and if they are keen to secure a low-cost option to provide competition in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad, perhaps Salisu would be a shrewd buy.
However, competition is likely to be fierce, with the Ghana international set to be a man in demand.
