Southampton risk losing a pair of stars to a European giant looking to start a new era

Southampton defenders Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu are reportedly top targets for Napoli in the summer, as they look to start a new era.

Saints are situated firmly in the middle of the pack in the Premier League at the moment. Indeed, they currently sit in ninth place in what has been a decent season for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Saints’ current league placement is six places better off than where they ended the season last term.

They can thank contributions from a number of star players for their good form this season. Regular centre-back partners Bednarek and Salisu have both performed well to this point.

That, however, has led to interest from elsewhere. Corriere dello Sport reports that Napoli are keeping a keen eye on the pair.

The report states that the Naples club’s owners are looking to ‘build a new Napoli’.

That means that there could be a host of players moving both in and out of the club.

Napoli are reportedly looking for young players, who will be able to perform for the club for a number of years.

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Indeed, Bednarek is 25, and Salisu 22, so both players have a long time remaining in their respective careers.

There is no mention of transfer fees, however, both players have at least two years remaining on their Southampton deals. As such, they should both warrant decent fees, were Napoli to pursue them.

Bednarek, Salisu and Ward-Prowse could leave Saints

Another Saints star who has attracted attention during his time at the club is James Ward-Prowse. Former Premier League forward Kevin Phillips thinks the midfielder would be a good fit for Arsenal.

“Ward-Prowse is the sort of player Arsenal need to be looking at in the summer,” Phillips said.

“He’s the sort of player Arteta would love in his squad I imagine.”

While that may be true, there have been no concrete transfer links between the Gunners and Ward-Prowse as yet.

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