Augsburg’s sports director Stefan Reuter has confirmed that there were talks over a potential deadline day move for Southampton defender Kevin Danso.
The centre-back is currently on loan to Southampton from Augsburg, but Reuter has revealed that they were in discussions with other clubs over a switch in January.
Kicker report that both Leipzig and Koln were showing interest in Danso and that Augsburg were looking at potentially cutting his loan in England short.
Speaking to German outlet Kicker about the interest, Reuter said:
We were concerned with that on the last day of the transfer window, but we didn’t do it. We were in a lot of exchanges, but there was no solution.
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With Maya Yoshida and Cedric Soares both leaving Southampton on deadline day, it would have been a cruel blow to also lose Danso. Whilst he has not been able to nail down a regular place in the starting line-up, he is useful as cover in a number of positions. Danso has been deployed as a right-back, a left-back and a centre-back by Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, highlighting his versatility.
It is important to have versatile players in the squad who can provide cover in multiple positions, due to potential injuries and suspensions throughout the campaign.
Now that Yoshida and Cedric have left the club, more opportunities could come Danso’s way. Therefore, it is good news that Augsburg were unable to reach any agreement with either Leipzig and Koln, as Danso could prove to be an important player in the final few months of the season for Saints.
Danso now needs to get his head down and work hard over the coming weeks and months to make sure that he is able to produce impressive performances when called upon. If he is able to grasp his chance if and when it comes, he could be able to finally get a run of games under his belt in the Premier League.
