Transfer News: Southhampton Nearing Deal For Mohammed Salisu

Southampton is on the verge of signing central defender Mohammed Salisu after The Saints reportedly met the release clause set by Real Valladolid. He is expected to sign a four-year deal with Southampton that is roughly worth $13.8 million.

Salisu originally joined Pucela in 2017 and has appeared 34 times in the first-team. Manchester United and West Ham were also linked to the Ghanaian player. However, it appears the chance to play regular football at St.Mary's factored in with his decision to head to Southampton instead.

Another team that was interested in taking in Salisu was Rennes. However, the Ghanaian player informed them that he preferred to stay in the Premier League and join Southampton.

Salisu is one of the multiple new signings by The Saints. This is seen to make up for the exit of several players who are bound for other clubs. Among those expected to depart include Jannik Vestergaard who has been a target by Leicester City.

Aside from Vestergaard, another player moving out is former captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The 24-year-old midfielder is on the radar of several teams. The list includes Everton, Tottenham, Manchester City and Ajax.

Despite the interest in Hojbjerg, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier sent some warning shots to a couple of teams. In his eyes, the Danish football player has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Bayern Munich in 2016.

"I just feel we had really high hopes at Southampton for Pierre and I just feel the last 18 months, he doesn't seem to have kicked on and improved in the way that the club hoped that he would have done," Le Tissier said via HampshireLive.

Regardless, that decision on Hojbjerg will depend on whichever club takes a chance on him. Consistency has been questioned but a change in scenery alleviates all that.

Harrison Reed, someone who is set to return after playing on loan to Fulham, could be headed out as well. Burnley is reportedly interested in the English midfielder. Aside from Fulham, the 25-year-old player also had loan spells to Norwich and Blackburn. He has less than a year remaining in his current deal with Southampton.