La Liga outfit Real Valladolid are eyeing up a potential shock move to re-sign Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu this month, according to Ghana Soccer Net.
Salisu has had little impact at St Mary’s since he made the £10.9m move to St Mary’s from the Spanish club in the summer. The 21-year-old has yet to make a Premier League appearance for the Saints and he has still been left on the bench despite Jannik Vestergaard’s injury, with Jack Stephens instead being chosen at centre-back.
Ralph Hasnehuttl has insisted that Salisu remains an important part of his plans and he even described him as the ‘future of this club’ recently. However, the Austrian has so far declined to test him in the Premier League, although he has suggested that he will be handed the chance to impress in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury at the weekend. Sadly, that could change with the 21-year-old having since picked up a muscle injury.
However, it has now emerged that Real Valladolid are interested in bringing him back to La Liga after just six months away. It is claimed that the defender could be convinced to move away from St Mary’s given his lack of game-time, according to Ghana Soccer Net, although it would be a surprise if the Saints contemplated selling him at this early stage.
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It would be a shock were Southampton to allow the 21-year-old to leave the club after just six months. Despite not yet being given the chance to start in the Premier League, he will have been getting to grips with what Hasenhuttl demands from his players from training with the Saints manager.
The defender has a clear pedigree, having averaged 1.1 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and five clearances per game in La Liga last season (Sofascore). However, he needs to get to grips with life in English football before getting a prolonged chance.
Southampton would be making a mistake if they sell him this soon into his time at St Mary’s. At least Hasenhuttl doesn’t seem to be contemplating that idea, judging by his comments on the player, and you would expect him to have a major part to play for the Saints over the next few years.
