Southampton star Wesley Hoedt has confirmed that he wants to make a permanent move away from St Mary’s this summer.
The 26-year-old spent the season on loan with Belgian side Antwerp and that came on the back of another loan spell at Celta Vigo, with Saints’ manager Ralph Hasenhuttl clearly deciding that the Dutch international is not part of his immediate plans.
Saints paid £15m to sign Hoedt from Lazio three years ago, but it looks like he’ll be departing on a permanent basis this summer.
When asked if his intention is to leave Saints by Hut Nieuwsblad, Hoedt said:
That’s the intention, yes. I already have a number of offers from clubs in [other European] competitions, but I have to wait and sit down with Southampton. What is clear is that I’m not waiting for a year on loan. I want to be fully transferred this time.
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It’s no surprise to see Hoedt asking for a permanent transfer, given that he’s not part of the manager’s plans.
Antwerp have an option to sign Hoedt for €8m but apparently don’t have the funds to meet that option, so Saints may have to shop him around to get food value.
It’s hardly the best time to be selling a player, given that clubs across the continent are feeling the financial pressure of the global pandemic, so Saints may need to accept that they’re going to lose Hoedt at a relatively low cost.
